A stunning exposé by the United States government has shed light on a vast international network of crude oil smuggling operated by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The complex scheme, which involves theft from Mexico’s state-owned oil company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), spans from Texas to Africa and Asia.
A graphic map released by the US Embassy in Mexico reveals the intricate route used by CJNG to smuggle stolen fuel. The operation begins with the illicit extraction of crude oil from Pemex, which is then transported to the northeastern border of Mexico, primarily in Tamaulipas. There, it is sold to US importers under the guise of a legitimate transaction.
However, the true nature of this trade is fiscal huachicol – a form of fuel theft that has become a lucrative venture for CJNG. The stolen crude oil is then smuggled into Texas, where it is transferred between various parties before reaching refineries and ports in Houston and abroad.
To avoid detection, payment to the cartels is made through disguised bank transfers, with terms such as “oil waste” used to conceal the transactions. According to US authorities, this illicit business now accounts for hundreds of millions of dollars in annual profits, making it the second-largest source of income for CJNG – behind only drug trafficking.
The Treasury Department has issued a warning to financial institutions, urging them to strengthen their controls and detect these suspicious transactions. The revelation highlights the need for increased vigilance in combating global fuel smuggling operations.
In Mexico, Pemex is the sole entity permitted to market crude oil, making it vulnerable to theft by organized crime groups like CJNG. The US government’s exposure of this network serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against transnational crime and corruption in the region.
As the international community continues to grapple with the complexities of global fuel smuggling, the US-led investigation has shed new light on the vast scope and sophistication of these operations.
Source: Debate
