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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [CRIME]
22 clusters · 142 sources · 73 days · First seen · Last updated
Mexican authorities combat illegal fuel operations
Overview
Mexican authorities continue to combat illegal fuel operations, known as ‘huachicol,’ which have evolved into a massive criminal enterprise. Between 2018 and 2025, an estimated 147 billion liters of fuel were moved through illegal channels, representing a potential market value of 3.1 trillion pesos. This illicit economy has attracted drug cartels, making fuel smuggling a primary revenue source second only to narcotics.
In late October 2026, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico recovered approximately 48 billion pesos in Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS) revenue through September 2026. This follows the identification of a massive fuel imbalance in 2025, where an estimated 8.824 billion liters of fuel were unaccounted for, resulting in roughly 61.7 billion pesos in lost tax revenue. To combat this, 16 federal institutions are utilizing a new Hydrocarbon Data Analysis Center to track fuel from import to retail.
Recent data indicates a significant surge in criminal activity. According to Inegi, federal criminal cases involving fuel theft rose by 207 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching 1,306 reported cases. This surge repositioned hydrocarbon offenses as the third most frequent federal crime in Mexico. Additionally, the Energy Citizen Observatory reports that the Ministry of Finance has lost 165,437 million pesos due to these activities during the current administration.
Enforcement actions remain active. On October 25, authorities investigated a clandestine fuel tap in Acolman and addressed smuggling investigations in Piedras Negras involving ‘huachicol hormiga,’ a method where hydrocarbons are hidden in cargo trucks. On November 3, the FGR seized approximately 303,000 liters of suspected hydrocarbons and various storage equipment during an operation in Montemorelos, Nuevo León.
Entities
Fiscalía General de la República · Claudia Sheinbaum · Grupo Simsa · Guanajuato · Pemex
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 25 SOURCES] No arrests have been reported following the operation.
- [● 6 SOURCES] Authorities have detained 2,539 people in connection with fuel-related crimes.
- [● 38 SOURCES] Authorities seized approximately 59 million liters of suspected hydrocarbon in Guanajuato.
- [● 35 SOURCES] The seizure included ten storage tanks, three cargo units, various containers, and related documentation.
- [● 33 SOURCES] The operation was the result of investigation and coordination between federal and state authorities.
- [● 25 SOURCES] The search was conducted in an industrial park in the community of La Fragua, San José de Iturbide.
- [● 23 SOURCES] The Federal Public Ministry is investigating possible crimes related to the storage and distribution of hydrocarbons.
- [● 21 SOURCES] The FGR has not received complete documentation from all related companies to prove the legal origin, handling, and destination of the fuel.
- [● 19 SOURCES] The FGR instructed the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO) to take over the investigation due to its complexity.
- [● 19 SOURCES] Juan Francisco Vera Ayala was removed from his position as the FGR delegate in Guanajuato.
- [● 19 SOURCES] The legality of the 59 million liters of seized fuel has not yet been officially determined.
Timeline
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[CRIME] 3 sourcesMexico fuel theft crimes increase by 207 percent
Fuel theft crimes in Mexico surged by 207 percent last year, reaching 1,306 cases and becoming the country's third most frequent federal crime.
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[CRIME] 10 sourcesNuevo León authorities seize 303,000 liters of suspected illegal fuel
Mexican federal authorities seized over 303,000 liters of suspected illegal fuel and extensive storage equipment during a raid in Montemorelos, Nuevo León.
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[CRIME] 2 sourcesMexico investigation targets fuel smuggling network
Mexican authorities are investigating a fuel smuggling ring that used ports to evade taxes by mislabeling diesel. The probe involves conflicting claims between the FGR and the Navy regarding the investigation's
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[CRIME] 14 sourcesMexico FGR reports increase in fuel theft prosecutions
Mexico's FGR reports 121 people processed and 60 convictions for fuel theft in 2026, marking an increase over 2025.
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[CRIME] 2 sourcesAuthorities investigate fuel theft and smuggling networks in Mexico
Authorities are investigating illegal fuel taps in Acolman and a sophisticated hydrocarbon smuggling network in Piedras Negras following a high-profile money laundering arrest.
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[BUSINESS] 3 sourcesMexico's SAT closes over 2,000 companies for illegal fuel sales
Mexico's SAT closed 2,224 companies for unauthorized fuel sales and removed 180 importers for smuggling, targeting 61.7 billion pesos in fiscal fraud.
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[BUSINESS] 28 sourcesMexico recovers 48 billion pesos in fuel taxes through crackdown
Mexico has recovered 48 billion pesos in fuel taxes through 2026 by targeting a 61.7 billion peso tax evasion gap identified in 2025, primarily driven by irregularities in fuel commercialization.
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[POLITICS] 34 sourcesSheinbaum clarifies legality of Guanajuato fuel seizure
President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that the 59 million liters of fuel seized in Guanajuato were legal, noting that irregularities were limited to transport issues rather than illegal fuel storage.
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[CRIME] 2 sourcesGuanajuato ranks second in Mexico for clandestine fuel taps
Guanajuato recorded 470 clandestine fuel taps in the first half of the year, amid a violent struggle for hydrocarbon control between organized crime groups.
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[CRIME] 7 sourcesHidalgo security report details 7 million liters of fuel seized
Hidalgo's Public Security Secretariat reported over 26,000 arrests and the seizure of 7 million liters of stolen fuel during a four-year period, backed by a 2 billion peso investment in security.
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[CRIME] 5 sourcesSalamanca authorities seize 25,000 liters of diesel
Mexican security forces seized 25,000 liters of diesel and discovered a clandestine fuel tap near Salamanca, Guanajuato, during a joint patrol operation.
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[BUSINESS] 4 sourcesMexico's Finance Ministry targets fuel tax fraud and reports Pemex debt reduction
Mexico's Finance Ministry is ramping up digital controls to fight fuel tax fraud and reported that Pemex's debt has fallen to its lowest level since 2014, reaching $77.5 billion.
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[CRIME] 2 sourcesMexico fuel smuggling operation involves falsified cargo and cartel links
A large-scale fuel smuggling operation involving falsified cargo documents and links to the CJNG has been uncovered at Mexican ports, including Tampico, Ensenada, and Guaymas.
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[POLITICS] 10 sourcesMexico Chamber of Deputies approves Customs Law reform to combat fuel smuggling
Mexico's Chamber of Deputies approved a Customs Law reform to increase fines and inspection powers to combat fuel smuggling, amid reports of irregular import permits granted to newly formed companies.
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[CRIME] 2 sourcesTamaulipas fuel smuggling investigations target massive tax evasion
Authorities are investigating massive fuel smuggling and tax evasion networks in Tamaulipas, involving billions of pesos in debt and millions of liters of misdeclared hydrocarbons.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 2 sourcesMexico fuel seizure case collapses after legality proven
A legal case in Mexico regarding the alleged seizure of 59 million liters of illegal fuel has collapsed after the fuel was proven to be legal and properly permitted.
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[CRIME] 3 sourcesMexico fuel smuggling reaches 3.1 trillion pesos in estimated market value
Illegal fuel smuggling in Mexico reached a potential market value of 3.1 trillion pesos between 2018 and 2025, while a major government seizure of suspected fuel in Guanajuato faces legality disputes.
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[CRIME] 31 sourcesGuanajuato FGR delegate removed after fuel seizure anomalies
The FGR removed its Guanajuato delegate following an irregular seizure of 59 million liters of fuel. Investigations into the legality of the fuel and company permits are ongoing by FEMDO.
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[CRIME] 6 sourcesFGR investigates 59 million liters of fuel seized in Guanajuato
Mexico's FGR is investigating the legality of 59 million liters of fuel seized in Guanajuato. Grupo SIMSA's Gas Natural del Noroeste denies wrongdoing, claiming all operations and permits are legal.
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[CRIME] 46 sourcesGuanajuato fuel seizure: FGR transfers investigation to FEMDO
The FGR has transferred the investigation of 59 million liters of seized fuel in Guanajuato to FEMDO due to case complexity, while Grupo SIMSA defends the legality of its storage operations.
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[CRIME] 63 sourcesGuanajuato fuel seizure: 59 million liters of suspected illicit fuel recovered
Authorities seized approximately 59 million liters of suspected illicit fuel, including gasoline and diesel, during a major raid in San José de Iturbide, Guanajuato, marking a significant blow to fuel theft.
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[CRIME] 2 sourcesPuebla authorities seize 21,000 liters of illegal fuel and seven tankers
Security forces in Puebla, Mexico, seized over 21,600 liters of illegal fuel and seven tanker trucks in San Salvador El Verde, resulting in one arrest.
Sources
14ymedio.com · 24-horas.mx · 24hod.sk · 889noticias.mx · acierta.mx · adnoticias.mx · alternativo.mx · am.com.mx · amanecerqro.com.mx · argonmexico.com · ascendwrestling.com · asisucede.com.mx · asuntoslegales.com.co · beyondbordersnews.com · billieparkernoticias.com · campechehoy.mx · canal44.com · carlosmartinhuerta.com.mx · cdj.com.mx · cincoradio.com.mx · cntamaulipas.mx · contralacorrupcion.mx · contralinea.com.mx · contramuro.com · cronicadelpoder.com · democratacoahuila.com · desdelafe.mx · desdepuebla.com · diario.mx · diario21.com.mx · diarioamanecer.com.mx · diariocoimbra.pt · diarioevolucion.com.mx · diariosinsecretos.com · dossierpolitico.com · drvnoticias.com · elbuentono.com.mx · elceo.com · elchamuco.com.mx · elcirculorojo.com.mx · elcuartopoder.com.mx · eldiariodechihuahua.mx · elefanteblanco.mx · elfinanciero.com.mx · elheraldodesaltillo.mx · elorbe.com · elporvenir.mx · elpuntero.com.mx
This summary has been updated 47 times: see revision history