Mexican authorities have broadened their investigation into drug cartel fuel smuggling operations at three major seaports following a Reuters report exposing the criminal network. The probe now includes internal investigations at ports in Guaymas, Tampico and Ensenada, with officials examining potential corruption within customs and naval agencies.
Mexican officials have broadened their investigation into drug cartel fuel smuggling schemes at major seaports following revelations from a recent Reuters report that exposed the criminal operations.
According to a February government document obtained by Reuters, Mexico’s anti-corruption ministry is now conducting internal investigations at the ports of Guaymas, Tampico and Ensenada, along with probes within the Navy and customs departments.
Authorities had previously acknowledged investigating suspected fuel smuggling activities at the Port of Tampico, leading to the arrest of 14 individuals last year, including customs officials and Navy personnel.
The government disclosed details about these fuel smuggling investigations while responding to inquiries from the opposition National Action Party (PAN) regarding alleged corruption within government agencies that reportedly enabled fuel smuggling operations to thrive across Mexico. These details were included in a comprehensive 217-page response addressing senators’ questions about the administration’s policy achievements.
Port officials at Guaymas, Tampico and Ensenada did not respond to comment requests, nor did representatives from Mexico’s Attorney General’s office, Navy or customs agency.
The fuel smuggling operation involves creating fraudulent shipping and customs documents for fuel imports, primarily from the United States. Criminal organizations avoid Mexico’s substantial tax on imported diesel and gasoline by falsely declaring these products as other petroleum-based materials that are exempt from duties. These fraudulent schemes can save smugglers more than half of a cargo shipment’s total value.
According to the U.S. Treasury Department, illegal fuel operations and stolen crude oil now represent the second-largest revenue stream for Mexican cartels, trailing only behind narcotics trafficking.
Criminal smugglers have escalated their operations from truck and rail transportation to utilizing petroleum tankers, a shift that U.S. and Mexican security authorities say demonstrates coordination between cartels and corrupt port employees.
Reuters’ 2025 investigation traced a vessel that unloaded imported diesel at the Ensenada and Guaymas ports, with the cargo falsely declared in Mexico as tax-exempt lubricants, resulting in $7 million in lost government revenue.
Three Mexican security officials and an undated government security document reviewed by Reuters indicated the importing company was believed to be a shell operation for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
In their inquiries, PAN officials pressed the federal government to detail how it would investigate, dismantle and prosecute all participants in the fuel smuggling network, including any high-ranking government officials who may be involved.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum faces mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to intensify efforts against drug cartels.
Neither PAN officials nor the president’s office provided responses to comment requests.
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