Operation Frontera Norte Yields Significant Seizure
Monterrey, NL. As part of the “Operation Frontera Norte,” the federal security cabinet reported that in Allende, Nuevo León, 1.2 million liters of hydrocarbons, one tractor-trailer, ten tanker trucks, and storage tanks were secured.
Background on the Operation
The operation, conducted by the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) in collaboration with the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR), the Secretariat of National Defense (Defensa), the Mexican Navy (Semar), the National Guard (GN), and the State Civil Force, targeted an illegal storage site for hydrocarbons in Allende.
The site, located on Progreso Street in the El Maguey colony, posed a risk to the local population due to inadequate safety measures. Investigative efforts by security forces led to the gathering of sufficient evidence, which was presented to a Control Judge who authorized the intervention.
Seizure Details
The operation resulted in the securing of 1.2 million liters of hydrocarbons, ten mobile storage containers, one tractor-trailer, ten tanker trucks, six cylindrical tanks, two one-thousand-liter barrels, and a 200-liter drum.
This information was handed over to the corresponding public ministry agent, who will continue investigating the case. The property has been sealed and is under police guard.
Economic Impact of Fuel Theft
César Cadena Cadena, President of the Nuevo León Energy Cluster, highlighted the economic impact of fuel theft in a recent interview with local media. He explained that the daily gasoline market operates around 120 million liters, with approximately 65 million liters of diesel. An estimated five million liters of illicitly obtained fuel, or “huachicol,” generate around 35 million pesos daily in unpaid taxes.
When sold legally, the profit margin for an entrepreneur is only 30 to 40 cents per liter. Cadena warned that those who sell “huachicol” do so strategically, moving their operations between cities like Nuevo León, Saltillo, and Coahuila to minimize risks associated with accidents.
Impact on Local Gas Stations
The local gas stations face unfair competition due to the lower prices offered by contraband fuel, which can be up to four pesos per liter cheaper. This undermines sales at certified stations.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the outcome of Operation Frontera Norte in Allende, Nuevo León? Over 1.2 million liters of hydrocarbons, along with a tractor-trailer, ten tanker trucks, storage tanks, and other related equipment were secured.
- Why was this operation significant? The site posed a risk to the local population due to inadequate safety measures. Securing this site helps prevent potential accidents and ensures proper tax collection.
- What is the economic impact of fuel theft in Nuevo León? An estimated five million liters of illicitly obtained fuel generate around 35 million pesos daily in unpaid taxes, affecting both public finances and legal businesses.
- How do local gas stations suffer from fuel theft? Contraband fuel offers significantly lower prices, creating unfair competition and reducing sales at certified gas stations.
