Mexico widens crackdown on fuel theft

Timeline

1. 1 day ago

   [CRIME] 70 sources

   Ernesto Ruffo Appel detained in Ensenada over fuel‑smuggling network

   Former Baja California governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel was arrested in Ensenada for organized crime and fuel‑smuggling, a scheme that allegedly caused over 4 billion pesos in losses and has sparked political and “

2. 3 days ago

   [CRIME] 9 sources

   CJNG threatens rival gangs and faces multiple arrests in Mexico

   CJNG threatens rival gangs in Mexico and faces arrests of leader ‘El Ocra’ and a cell in Álvaro Obregón, with drug seizures and ongoing security operations.

3. 4 days ago

   [CRIME] 3 sources

   Mexico uncovers massive clandestine oil refinery in Nuevo León fueling illegal fuel trade

   Investigative reporting uncovers a clandestine refinery in Nuevo León processing thousands of barrels daily, linked to criminal fuel‑theft networks and political figures, with no government intervention.

4. 4 days ago

   [CRIME] 2 sources

   Mexico federal police seize illegal sand equipment in Chiapas and fuel shipments in Reynosa

   Mexico's federal police detained five people and seized sand‑mining equipment in Chiapas, and three men and over 26,000 L of illegal diesel plus related gear in Reynosa.

5. 4 days ago

   [POLITICS] 8 sources

   Mexican municipalities boost security councils, road projects and police

   Mexican municipalities announced security council formation, urban development appointments, road upgrades and police enhancements in Cuautla, Tres Ríos, Coatlinchán, Monclova and Tampico.

6. 5 days ago

   [CRIME] 2 sources

   Mexican authorities seize illegal fuel in Veracruz and Chihuahua

   Mexican federal and state forces seized illegal fuel at a storage site in Veracruz and detained three men with a 27,900‑liter tanker in Chihuahua, handing both cases to prosecutors.

7. 6 days ago

   [CRIME] 5 sources

   Mexican authorities seize clandestine armored‑vehicle and explosives workshop in Durango

   Mexican federal forces seized a Durango workshop producing custom‑armored vehicles and homemade explosives, confiscating five vehicles, weapons, ammunition and explosives without making arrests.

8. 7 days ago

   [POLITICS] 2 sources

   Mexican municipal security councils convene in La Paz and Ciudad Juárez

   Municipal security councils in La Paz and Ciudad Juárez met to boost citizen participation, report crime data and recognize fire‑department efforts after a suspected arson fire.

9. 7 days ago

   [POLITICS] 3 sources

   Mexican municipalities boost safety coordination in Jantetelco and Toluca

   Municipal authorities in Jantetelco (Morelos) and Toluca (Estado de México) held coordinated safety actions—crime‑prevention council and chemical‑emergency drills—enhancing local public‑security cooperation in

10. 7 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Juan Carlos Valencia González becomes head of Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel

    Juan Carlos Valencia González, a U.S.-born dual citizen, has been named the new head of Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel after El Mencho’s death, triggering a $5 million U.S. bounty and cross‑border law‑e

11. 7 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Mexico destroys 293 seized firearms in Yucatán and Quintana Roo

    Mexico’s army destroyed 293 seized firearms, mostly from Quintana Roo, during a July 11, 2026 ceremony in Mérida to curb illegal gun circulation.

12. 9 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    CJNG leader faces US bounty while Mexican members receive 60‑year sentences

    Mexican court gives six CJNG Delta 4 members 60‑year sentences, while the U.S. offers a $5 million bounty for new CJNG leader Juan Carlos Valencia González.

13. 9 days ago

    [CRIME] 14 sources

    Juan Carlos Valencia González named new CJNG leader by US

    US officials name Juan Carlos Valencia González (“El 03”) as the new CJNG leader after El Mencho’s death, maintain a $5 million bounty, and flag the cartel’s transnational drug‑trafficking threat.

14. 10 days ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources

    Mexican authorities seize illegal fuel truck in Pueblo Nuevo, Guanajuato

    Mexican Army and National Guard seized an illegal‑fuel truck and detained a driver after a trailer got stuck in mud in Pueblo Nuevo, Guanajuato.

15. 10 days ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources

    Tamaulipas authorities seize 485,000 liters of illegal fuel and arrest suspects

    Federal and state forces in Matamoros and Reynosa, Tamaulipas, seized ~485,000 L of illegal fuel, dozens of vehicles and a Barrett rifle, detaining up to 13 suspects.

16. 11 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    State of Mexico police and Guard seize fuel thieves in coordinated crackdown

    State of Mexico police, Guard and PEMEX arrested two fuel thieves after spotting a tanker near an illegal diesel tap, while Ecatepec, Acolman and Atenco agreed to joint patrols to fight fuel theft and related犯罪

17. 11 days ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources

    Mexico authorities seize $385,000 from two women on Sonora highway

    Mexican federal agents arrested two women on a Sonora bus after finding $385,000 in undocumented cash, launching an investigation for illegal financial operations.

18. 11 days ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources

    Mexican Cities Cuautla and Toluca Intensify Joint Security Patrols

    Municipal leaders in Cuautla and Toluca, Mexico, jointly conducted security patrols, detaining suspects and seizing weapons and drugs as part of coordinated crime‑prevention efforts.

19. 11 days ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources

    Mexican federal forces seize stolen beer in Guanajuato and 7.7 million pesos in Durango

    Mexican authorities seized a hidden brewery cargo in Guanajuato and confiscated 7.7 million pesos, weapons and ammo in Durango during coordinated federal raids.

20. 11 days ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources

    Mexico prosecutes three army officers over $144 million fuel smuggling

    Mexico's FGR seeks three army officers for enabling a $144 million fuel smuggling ring at Matamoros customs, the biggest fuel‑tax evasion case detected, amid claims of deep customs corruption.

21. 12 days ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources

    US citizen captured in Sonora on fentanyl trafficking warrant

    A U.S. citizen wanted for fentanyl trafficking was arrested in Hermosillo, Sonora, through joint Mexican‑U.S. police cooperation and will be handed to U.S. Marshals for prosecution.

22. 14 days ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources

    Mexico authorities seize illegal motorcycles in Playa del Carmen and shut down five alcohol warehouses in Celaya

    Mexican officials seized three unregistered motorcycles in Playa del Carmen and confiscated over 74,000 alcoholic drinks while closing five illegal warehouses in Celaya.

23. 14 days ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources

    Mexico expands investigations into fuel tax evasion and illegal diesel imports

    Mexico's leader confirms two major probes into illegal fuel smuggling, one involving a seized diesel ship in Tampico and another targeting border tank cars, with U.S. coordination and new QR‑code checks.

24. 15 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources

    Mexico moves to strengthen fuel‑theft penalties, cites US bill

    Mexico’s deputy Alfonso Ramírez Cuéllar pushes tougher fuel‑theft penalties, citing a US Senate bill and noting 987 million litres stolen in 2024, causing billions in losses.

25. 19 days ago

    [CRIME] 9 sources

    Mexican municipalities report drops in vehicle theft and launch joint security operations

    Toluca arrests, Ecatepec‑Tecámac joint patrols, Cuautitlán Izcalli’s 18% vehicle‑theft drop, and Ciudad Victoria’s crime‑reduction measures illustrate Mexican municipalities’ intensified security actions.

26. 22 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Mexican security forces seize over 73,000 liters of stolen fuel in Guanajuato

    Mexican forces seized more than 73,000 liters of illegally obtained fuel in two Guanajuato operations, confiscating containers, equipment and a vehicle, with no arrests made.

27. 22 days ago

    [CRIME] 6 sources

    Mexico's FGR incinerates nearly 500 kg of seized narcotics in Sinaloa and Aguascalientes

    Mexico's FGR incinerated nearly 500 kg of seized narcotics across ceremonies in Sinaloa and Aguascalientes, destroying large cocaine, meth, marijuana loads and related illicit items.

28. 25 days ago

    [CRIME] 29 sources

    Mexico seizes 24,400 L of liquid methamphetamine in Los Mochis, Sinaloa

    Mexico’s federal forces seized 24,400 L of liquid meth in Los Mochis, Sinaloa – the biggest in the current term, worth over 9 bn pesos, detaining a suspected Pacific Cartel member and highlighting U.S.–Mexico​‑

29. 27 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Mexican cartel operatives detained in Juárez and die in New York prison

    A Los Chapitos operative died in a New York prison, while a Juárez Cartel leader was arrested in Ciudad Juárez with high‑power weapons and two U.S. women, highlighting US‑Mexico drug‑crime cooperation.

30. 30 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources

    Azcapotzalco and Naucalpan sign cooperation pact to boost security and infrastructure

    Azcapotzalco mayor Nancy Núñez and Naucalpan president Isaac Montoya signed an agreement to coordinate security, mobility, lighting and infrastructure projects across their neighboring municipalities.

31. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Mexican authorities seize illegal diesel tanker and crack down on transit vehicle violations

    Mexico’s federal prosecutors seized an illegal diesel tanker on a highway, while Reynosa officials towed transit vehicles with registration violations.

32. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Mexico seizes massive weapons cache in Veracruz

    Mexico's Guard, Army, Navy and FGR seized a massive weapons cache in Veracruz, including 91 guns, 52,690 cartridges, grenades, tactical gear, and 710 kg of marijuana, targeting a paramilitary criminal cell.

33. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Veracruz authorities seize mega arsenal and 440 kg of marijuana in Tierra Blanca

    Mexican federal and Veracruz state forces seized a mega arsenal—including 108 firearms, 50 grenades, 51,400 cartridges—and 440 kg of marijuana in Tierra Blanca, inflicting a >11.5 million‑peso loss on organized

34. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 21 sources

    Mexico's CJNG Ends Alliance with Los Chapitos, Says Security Secretary

    Mexico’s security chief says CJNG’s alliance with Los Chapitos ended after El Mencho’s death, while the cartel fragments into regional factions under leaders like Juan Carlos Valencia.

35. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources

    Mexico reports rising fentanyl-related hospitalizations across multiple states

    Mexico recorded 168 fentanyl-related hospitalisations from 2023‑2026, concentrated in Sinaloa and Baja California, with most cases intentional or accidental; researchers cite data gaps and cross‑border use.

36. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources

    Mexico seizes 900L of hydrocarbon, drugs, weapons in Veracruz operation

    Mexican security forces seized 900 L of hydrocarbon, drugs and weapons in Veracruz, detaining 35 people across 26 municipalities.

37. about 1 month ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources

    Mexico President Sheinbaum Sends Naval Letters to Prosecutors Over Fuel Smuggling

    President Claudia Sheinbaum forwarded naval letters accusing the federal prosecutor of withholding info in a fuel‑smuggling probe, directing the case to the FGR after a Tampico vessel seizure involving 10 M L d

38. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources

    Mexico seizes nearly 33,000 L of stolen fuel in operations in Puebla and Hermosillo

    Mexican authorities seized about 33,000 L of stolen fuel in Puebla and Hermosillo raids, part of a nationwide crackdown on fuel theft.

39. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 7 sources

    Mexico's federal prosecutor seizes over 1.3 million liters of illegal fuel in Reynosa

    Mexico’s FGR seized over 1.35 million liters of illegal fuel in Reynosa and 28,600 liters of LPG in Apizaco, arresting two suspects and deploying federal, state and guard forces.

40. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Mexico authorities seize 18,000 L of stolen fuel and arrest four drug suspects

    Mexico seized nearly 18,000 L of stolen fuel in Tepeaca and arrested four people for drugs and replica guns in Irapuato.

41. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources

    Mexico security agencies face criticism over export permits to alleged drug lord and empty police module in Campeche

    Mexico grants export permits to alleged drug lord Miguel Ángel Gallegos Godoy despite intelligence warnings, and Campeche opens then abandons a police module, sparking claims of fabricated security achievements

42. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 6 sources

    Mexico's federal prosecutors seize 88 kg fentanyl in Sonora and destroy over 300 kg narcotics

    Mexico's prosecutors seized 88 kg of fentanyl in Sonora and later incinerated 301 kg of narcotics in the State of Mexico, highlighting a coordinated drug‑crackdown.

43. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources

    Naucalpan and Tecámac Show Dropping Crime Rates Following New Security Strategies

    Naucalpan and Tecámac report significant crime drops after implementing expanded patrols, new technology and safety strategies, with vehicle theft down 61% and high‑impact crimes down 36% in Naucalpan.

44. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Mexico fuel‑theft crackdown seizes 21,000 L of illegal gasoline and arrests 14

    Mexican authorities seized over 21,000 L of illegal fuel and arrested 14 people in coordinated operations in Puebla and Tabasco.

45. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources

    Mexico's security forces seize drugs, weapons and recover stolen vehicles in Campeche

    Mexican security forces detained nine people and seized drugs and weapons in Campeche, while also recovering stolen vehicles and arresting five suspects, as part of a multi‑state crackdown on organized crime.

46. about 1 month ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources

    Mexican deputies cite falling high‑impact crime rates and demand stronger highway security

    Mexican deputies report a drop in high‑impact crimes while urging stronger security on federal highways to counter new criminal tactics threatening cargo transport.

47. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources

    Mexico's FGR destroys 179 kg of narcotics and seizes marijuana shipments in Aguascalientes

    Mexico's FGR incinerated over 179 kg of narcotics and 9,464 psychotropic units in State of Mexico, while K9 units seized around 5 kg of marijuana in Aguascalientes.

48. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 29 sources

    Mexico seizes over 250,000 litres of illegal fuel in Veracruz raid

    Mexican federal agents seized about 250,000 litres of illegal fuel and detained 12 people in a major raid in Tihuatlán, Veracruz.

49. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources

    Mexico's security agencies boost operations against fuel theft and crime in Chiapas and Huasteca

    Mexico's SSP recovered 206,000 L of stolen fuel in Chiapas and expanded security operations in the Huasteca region of San Luis Potosí.