Mexico City – The fuel theft network in Mexico, known as huachicol, continues to grow in size and reach, with far-reaching consequences for the country’s economy, public safety, and security. According to reports from Animal Político, Pemex suffered losses of over 20 billion pesos due to illegal tapping of its pipelines in 2024, while the treasury incurred a loss of 177 billion pesos due to the illicit importation of gasoline without paying taxes.
Huachicol has become a lucrative source of income for Mexico’s criminal organizations, fueling disputes between groups seeking control of distribution routes. In some regions, such as Guanajuato and Tabasco, these disputes have led to a significant increase in violence and homicides.
To combat this growing crime, specialists recommend that the federal government implement several measures, including increased surveillance in municipalities with pipelines, gas station audits, rapid response units to tanker thefts, financial intelligence, enhanced border and port controls, and predictive technology. These actions aim to identify money laundering patterns, prevent the illegal entry or exit of fuel, and anticipate thefts.
The 10 most powerful gangs behind huachicol in Mexico are:
1. Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) – Guerrero Covarrubias Family: Led by Javier, Adrián, and Heraclio Guerrero Covarrubias, this group controls the border between Jalisco and Michoacán, southern Guanajuato, and various municipalities.
2. Sinaloa Cartel – Gente Nueva-El Tigre: Operating from Ciudad Juárez to Jiménez, Chihuahua, they are disputing the area with La Línea from the Juárez Cartel.
3. Gulf Cartel – Los Metros: Led by César Morfín Morfín “El Primito” and his brothers Álvaro and Remigio, this group controls Tamaulipas and has a trafficking network to Texas, USA.
4. Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel: Operating in Guanajuato (León, Celaya, Irapuato) and Querétaro (Querétaro city and El Marqués).
5. Sangre Nueva Zeta – “El Bukanas”: Led by Roberto de los Santos de Jesús “El Bukanas”, this group controls Veracruz, Puebla, and Tlaxcala.
6. The Sweeper – “El Prada”: Operating in Tabasco (Villahermosa, Cárdenas, Huimanguillo) under the leadership of Daniel Hernández Montejo “El Prada”.
7. Pure New People – “El Sonrics”: Led by Rogelio Arellano “El Sonrics”, this group controls Campeche.
8. Los Hades: Operating in Hidalgo (Ixmiquilpan, Huichapan), Querétaro (San Juan del Río), and the State of Mexico (Polotitlán, Aculco).
9. Los Pepes: Founded by Héctor Eduardo Hernández López (already arrested), this group operates in Hidalgo (Pachuca, Tizayuca) and Mineral del Monte.
The government’s proposed solutions aim to curb fuel theft by targeting the root causes of the problem: the lucrative profits generated by huachicol. By implementing measures such as increased surveillance, audits, rapid response units, financial intelligence, enhanced border controls, and predictive technology, Mexico can reduce the economic losses associated with this crime and mitigate its impact on public safety and security.
Source: MSN
