Recent Seizures of Illicit Fuel by the Mexican Government
In recent weeks, the Mexican government has seized millions of liters of illicitly-sourced hydrocarbons through operations conducted in Tabasco and Coahuila, reported Omar García Harfuch, the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, on Tuesday.
These seizures are part of the national strategy to combat the illegal theft and distribution of hydrocarbons. According to Harfuch, all confiscated fuel is under the guardianship of the Fiscal General de la República (FGR), which determines its legal destination.
The Fate of the Stolen Fuel
Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico City, explained that once the FGR releases the fuel and confirms its quality through testing, it can be used by the National Guard, other public agencies, or even donated to communities.
If the fuel meets quality standards, it is not wasted; instead, it is channeled for public purposes. However, the FGR must first release it, Sheinbaum emphasized.
Key Seizure Operations
- Tabasco: 1.28 million liters of diesel were seized in operations carried out in the municipality of Cárdenas. Additionally, vehicles, trailers, and containers were confiscated.
- Saltillo, Coahuila: Following up on the case of a ship seized in March in Tamaulipas containing 10 million liters of stolen fuel, nearly 2 million liters were found illegally stored on a property.
- Central Zone (Mexico City, Edomex, and Querétaro): A criminal network was dismantled after six months of investigation. Although the exact volume wasn’t specified, it is one of the largest illegal structures for fuel theft and commercialization.
The Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) confirmed that operations will continue to weaken the distribution chains of illicit hydrocarbons. Since the beginning of this administration, there have been raids, seizures, and arrests related to the so-called “huachicoleo” as part of a comprehensive strategy to protect the country’s energy resources.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the recent action taken by the Mexican government against illegal fuel theft? The Mexican government, through coordinated efforts in Tabasco and Coahuila, has seized millions of liters of illicitly-sourced hydrocarbons in recent weeks.
- Who determines the legal destination of seized fuel? The Fiscal General de la República (FGR) is responsible for determining the legal destination of all confiscated fuel.
- What happens to the seized fuel if it meets quality standards? If the fuel passes quality tests, it can be used by public agencies like the National Guard or donated to communities instead of being wasted.
- What significant operations have been conducted to combat illegal fuel theft? Key operations include seizing 1.28 million liters of diesel in Tabasco, discovering nearly 2 million liters of stolen fuel in Saltillo, Coahuila, and dismantling a major criminal network in the Central Zone involving Mexico City, Edomex, and Querétaro.
