Alleged Smuggling of Stolen Fuel in Tamaulipas with the Collaboration of the Authorities

A serious anonymous complaint has exposed an alleged stolen fuel smuggling network (“huachicol”) operating through various municipalities in Tamaulipas, using a route that begins at the border and extends into Nuevo León. The most alarming aspect of the complaint is the alleged complicity and escort by members of the National Guard and the collection of bribes from State Guard commanders in several municipalities.

The complaint requests an immediate and thorough investigation by federal authorities, including the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA), and the Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), to dismantle this network of organized crime and corruption.

The Huachicol Route and the Alleged Collusion

According to the information, the double-tank trucks loaded with allegedly stolen gasoline and diesel enter national territory through the international bridges in Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, Río Bravo, Miguel Alemán, and Díaz Ordaz.

These vehicles are reportedly escorted by the National Guard by road to the junction of Cruillas, Tamaulipas. At this point, the operation enters the Cruillas-Burgos gap, where the vehicles are allegedly received by the criminal group known as Los Zetas Vieja Escuela.

Criminal Leadership and Political Ties

The criminal group in this area is allegedly led by Daniel Leal, a former State Guard police officer and current leader of the group. The complaint highlights that Daniel is allegedly linked to politicians in the region.

From this point, the trucks are allegedly routed to the Burgos junction, at the El Mulato gap. This section, according to the complaint, is under the control of Nohemí Estrella Leal, a trusted operator of Octavio Leal Moncada, alias “Tarzán,” and other leaders of the Columna Armada Pedro José Méndez guards. This group allegedly maintains control of the El Mulato gaps up to those bordering the La Barrera community in the municipality of Linares, Nuevo León, the latter being the main crossing route for illicit fuel.

Bribery Scheme for Authorities

The complaint details an alleged and extensive corruption scheme that allegedly implicates state police commanders:

• Payment to Organized Crime and State Guard Coordinators: For each crossing of a double-tank fuel truck, organized crime receives 100,000 pesos. Another 100,000 pesos is allegedly divided among the State Guard coordinators of the municipalities of Burgos, San Nicolás, and San Carlos.

• Payment to the Delegate: The delegate of the Santander Jiménez State Guard in turn, receives 50,000 pesos for each double-tank truck jump.

Furthermore, it’s reported that the tankers coming from southern Tamaulipas enter through the La Chepina and La Loba breaches, paying an additional fee in San Carlos and San Nicolás to access the El Mulato breach, following the same bribery route in the municipalities corresponding to the Santander Jiménez delegation.

Call to Action

Given the seriousness of the allegations implicating a criminal network with political ramifications and the alleged involvement of federal and state security forces in high-impact crimes such as smuggling, fuel theft, and bribery, the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), the Secretary of State for the Interior (SEDENA), and the Secretary of Public Security (SSPC) are urged to:

1. Initiate an immediate ex officio investigation into the events and the individuals identified.

2. Verify the involvement of National Guard members in escorting the transport of stolen fuel.

3. Investigate the commanders of the State Guard and the aforementioned delegations for the alleged collection of bribes.

4. Dismantle the criminal network operating in the area linked to hydrocarbon theft.

Society demands a decisive response to eradicate the impunity and corruption that facilitate the operation of these criminal networks that undermine the rule of law.

Source: México Código Rojo