The Largest Contraband of Hydrocarbons in Recent History
The Mexican government recently dismantled one of the largest hydrocarbon contraband networks in recent history. The operation, which began with the seizure of a vessel in Tampico in March, led to the detention of 14 individuals, including a vice admiral from the Mexican Navy, five active marines, former customs officials, and businessmen linked to the illegal introduction of fuels.
The Seizure that Exposed the Network
On March 19, federal authorities inspected the Challenge Procyon vessel in Tampico’s port. The ship, coming from the United States, was carrying nearly 10 million liters of diesel declared as petrochemicals to avoid import taxes.
The operation resulted in the seizure of over 190 containers, trucks, and trailers across several locations in Tamaulipas. According to the Fiscal General de la Republica, this seizure is one of the largest in recent history and uncovered the logistics of a criminal organization operating with forged documents, involving customs agencies, transport companies, and government officials.
Scope of the Investigation
After months of field and desk research, authorities executed 14 arrest warrants in Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and the Federal District. Among those detained were Vice Admiral Manuel Roberto Farías Laguna, five active marines, one retired marine, three businessmen, and five former customs officials.
Additionally, 20 individuals and entities were added to the List of Blocked Persons due to irregular financial operations, acquisition of luxury properties and vehicles, and disproportionate insurance policies relative to their income.
Vinculated to Process and Ring Leaders
After 17 hours of hearing, a federal judge bound over Farías Laguna and nine other marines for their probable responsibility in the crime of organized crime.
The Fiscalía imputed that this organization facilitated the illegal discharge of 31 fuel vessels between April 2024 and March 2025 at Altamira and Tampico customs.
Of the three leaders identified in the criminal structure, only Farías Laguna was arrested; his brother Fernando and alleged operator Miguel Ángel “N” remain at large.
The gravity of the case intensified with the discovery of Captain Abraham Jeremías Pérez Ramírez’s body in Altamira port facilities a day after the detention announcements.
Political Reactions: PAN and PRI Demand Investigation of López Obrador
The case escalated to the political arena, as Ricardo Anaya (PAN) and Manuel Añorve (PRI), Senate coordinators, demanded that the investigation include former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who during his term handed over customs control to the Navy and assured that corruption had ended.
“This is the biggest corruption scandal in Mexico’s history, costing the treasury 170,000 million pesos,” declared Anaya, demanding that the investigation reach “to its very end.” Añorve recalled that López Obrador daily affirmed that the huachicol (illegal fuel trade) no longer existed, a claim now proven false.
The PRI and PAN also requested that there be no preemptive exonerations and that the relationship between the Farías Laguna brothers, political nephews of former Navy Secretary Rafael Ojeda Durán, be investigated.
Sheinbaum Government’s Stance
President Claudia Sheinbaum supported the allegations made by Admiral Ojeda, who requested an investigation into his own family. Sheinbaum emphasized that there would be no impunity and that the investigation took the necessary time to gather solid evidence.
Sheinbaum explained that the modus operandi involved importing diesel using temporary permits, declaring goods as non-taxable, and then reselling them to gas stations and fleets at below-market prices.
“When a corrupt network is detected, it doesn’t matter who’s involved; action will be taken,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, Navy Secretary Raymundo Morales assured that the institution strengthened its control mechanisms to prevent similar incidents.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the huachicol fiscal scandal? It refers to a large-scale illegal fuel trade operation involving military officials, customs agents, and businessmen.
- Who was involved in the scandal? Those detained include a vice admiral from the Mexican Navy, five active marines, former customs officials, and businessmen linked to the illegal introduction of fuels.
- What was the scale of the seizure? The operation resulted in one of the largest hydrocarbon seizures in recent Mexican history, uncovering a criminal organization’s logistics.
- What political reactions have there been? Opposition parties PAN and PRI demanded an investigation into former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s role in the scandal.
- What is the Sheinbaum government’s position? President Claudia Sheinbaum supports the investigation and emphasized that there will be no impunity.
