Title: Massive Fuel Seizure in Ensenada: Nearly 2.1 Million Gallons of Stolen Gasoline Confiscated
In an unprecedented fuel bust, authorities in Ensenada, Baja California, have seized almost 2.1 million gallons of stolen gasoline. This significant operation, conducted on March 27 and disclosed the following day, originated from a tip-off regarding suspicious activities at a site near the Rosarito-Ensenada highway in El Sauzal.
The operation was a collaborative effort involving the Army, National Guard, Navy, Federal Attorney General’s Office, and security teams from Pemex. Armed with a search warrant, officials descended on the property to uncover a massive illegal fuel storage and distribution operation. The haul included:
– 100 container boxes, each with a capacity of 19,250 gallons.
– 46 tanker trailers, each carrying 8,200 gallons.
– 19 semi-trucks of various models.
– 12 fuel pumps of differing capacities.
– 2 office trailers.
– A cistern containing 1,050 gallons of urea.
The total confiscated fuel was enough to fill over 120,000 average car fuel tanks. All vehicles, containers, and petrol are now in federal custody as investigations aim to trace the origins of the fuel and identify those behind the operation.
Local sources have connected the property to a former senator, Gerardo Novelo Osuna, though his direct involvement remains unconfirmed by officials. Fuel theft, or “huachicoleo,” has been a persistent problem in Mexico, leading to significant financial losses. This operation represents a substantial stride towards ending such activities and upholding justice.
Additional Coverage:
In recent years, Mexico has intensified its crackdown on fuel theft, a practice that has drained billions from the economy. This strong arm of the law aims to dismantle sophisticated networks involved in siphoning fuel from pipelines or engaging in elaborate storage operations like the one uncovered in Ensenada.
Despite the success of this operation, challenges remain as fuel thieves continue to devise new ways to circumvent the law. Authorities have stressed the importance of continued vigilance and cooperation from the public to report suspicious activities, which played a crucial role in the Ensenada bust.
This significant crackdown is a reminder of the ongoing challenges surrounding fuel theft in Mexico, but it also signals determined efforts to bring such criminal activities to justice and minimize their impact on the national economy.