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Legal proceedings against Ernesto Ruffo Appel

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2026-10-05 19:44 UTC → 2026-10-08 01:27 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Former Baja California Governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel is currently under house arrest in Ensenada following a 72-day period in federal custody. His transition from El Altiplano prison was granted due to his age and documented cardiac and hypertensive health issues. The Federal Attorney General's Office (FGR) is investigating Ruffo Appel for alleged involvement in organized crime and a ‘huachicol fiscal’ scheme. The investigation, led by the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO), focuses on his role as a shareholder and board member of Ingemar, a port services company. Authorities allege that Ingemar’s logistics infrastructure, including rail tanks, was utilized to facilitate fuel smuggling by declaring significantly lower volumes to customs than were actually transported. Specifically, the FGR claims containers with capacities between 30,000 and 112,000 liters were registered as carrying only 10,000 liters to evade taxes. ~~The FGR asserts it possesses substantial evidence, including testimonies where~~ Ruffo Appel reportedly acknowledged owning 49% of the firm's shares and possessed knowledge of these documentation discrepancies. The prosecution also noted that Ingemar’s financial movements, involving millions of pesos, were inconsistent with its fiscal profile. Ruffo Appel has maintained his innocence, stating his involvement was limited to being a shareholder and secretary of the assembly with no knowledge of business operations. He maintains that all fuel imports conducted by Ingemar were legal, fully permitted, and that all applicable taxes were paid. ~~He has criticized the lack of transparency from customs authorities and the FGR, further suggesting that the full details of the case may not~~ The legal proceedings have ~~been accurately presented~~ expanded to ~~President Claudia Sheinbaum. During his confinement,~~ include other Ingemar associates. Ricardo Thompson Navarro, a business partner of Ruffo ~~Appel~~ Appel, has ~~received visits and solidarity~~ also been granted house arrest in Ensenada after being transferred from ~~prominent National Action Party (PAN) members,~~ the Altiplano maximum-security prison. Thompson faces charges including ~~former governors~~ organized crime, smuggling, and ~~senators,~~ hydrocarbon-related offenses. He joins at least two other defendants, José María de la Peña Ramos and Guillermo de la Peña Rosales, who have ~~characterized the proceedings~~ also received house arrest as ~~political persecution.~~ the investigation into Ingemar’s suspected fuel import network continues.

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