### EU Sanctions CJNG’s Fuel Theft Network, Including ‘El Tanque,’ Close Associate of ‘El Mencho’
On September 10th, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned nine Mexican nationals and 26 companies linked to a fuel theft network that has generated millions of dollars in revenue for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). This illicit activity, locally termed as ‘huachicol,’ is the cartel’s most significant non-drug-related income source under the leadership of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho.”
The U.S. government noted that the proceeds from fuel theft bolster the CJNG’s drug trafficking activities, particularly the trafficking of fentanyl. Among those sanctioned was Iván Cazarín Molina, also known as “El Tanque,” a trusted associate of Oseguera Cervantes.
Operating mainly in Jalisco and Veracruz, ‘El Tanque’ specialized in stealing fuel from Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) pipelines. Besides fuel theft, his criminal resume includes drug trafficking, extortion, and murder. Cazarín Molina managed a network of ostensibly legitimate gas stations used to launder and sell stolen fuel, further financing the cartel’s operations.
“Fuel theft, called ‘huachicol’ in Mexico, represents the most significant non-drug-related income for Mexican cartels and other illicit actors,” stated the OFAC. These thieves, or huachicoleros, siphon fuel from PEMEX pipelines, refineries, and tanker trucks.
The U.S. Treasury also sanctioned several of ‘El Tanque’s’ relatives, including his brother César Cazarín Molina, alias “Tornado,” and his father-in-law Domingo Medina Díaz, alias “El Mingo.” Their network controlled a storage facility in Veracruz, 11 gas stations, and 13 different businesses.
The coordinated effort between the DEA, the Mexican government, and Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit led to this latest enforcement action. The sanctioned businesses included various fueling stations and companies such as Biocombustibles El Jícaro, Dos Océanos Paso del Toro, and Constructora Jesa.
### Additional News on the Topic by TJGringo.com
In related news, further efforts to dismantle fuel theft networks have continued across Mexico. According to recent reports, several government raids have targeted smaller scale ‘huachicol’ operations, leading to numerous arrests and the confiscation of fuel valued at millions of pesos.
**Raid in Guanajuato**
In Guanajuato, a joint operation between Mexican military and federal police resulted in the arrest of 15 individuals and the seizure of 10,000 liters of stolen fuel. Authorities have indicated that these operations are part of a more extensive crackdown on fuel theft orchestrated at both state and national levels.
**Heightened Security in PEMEX Facilities**
The Mexican government has also increased security measures at PEMEX facilities, including the deployment of more troops and advanced surveillance technology to monitor pipelines. This initiative aims to deter illegal siphoning activities that have plagued the energy sector for years.
**Successful Convictions**
In a landmark case, a Mexican court recently handed down lengthy prison sentences to five prominent ‘huachicoleros’ from Veracruz. The court’s decision demonstrates the judiciary’s increasing commitment to tackling fuel theft and organized crime in the country.
These strides reflect a concerted effort to curb the operations of fuel theft networks and reduce the associated criminal activities that threaten both the economy and public safety. Stay tuned to TJGringo.com for more updates on this developing story.