According to Washingtonthe government Mexican has lost in recent years “billions of dollars in income” due to Robbery and crude oil smuggling perpetrated by Mexican cartelslike the CJNG.
The theft of fuel, known in Mexico as Huachicol, of the State Company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), “is currently the most significant non -drug income source for Mexican cartels,” says the US government.
The Treasury Secretary, Scott Besent, cited in a statement from his department, described these “Dairy cows” activities for the CJNGdesignated by Washington as “Terrorist” organization global.
Read more: in raids they dismant
Criminals use various methods: Employees threaten and bribe Pemex, drill ducts, steal in refineries and kidnap tank trucks.
The stolen fuel is sold in the black market in Mexico, USA and Central America. It arrives in American territory “through Mexican corridors”, often labeling as “waste oil”Or other dangerous material, reports the Department of the Treasury.
The stolen crude is delivered to “complicit importers” that “They sell it at a very low price”he adds.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Treasury Department (OFAC) sanctioned César Morfín Morfín, alias Primito, “CJNG cell leader in Tamaulipas”(Northeast of Mexico).
“Primito” previously led a faction of the sanctioned Gulf Cartel and transformed it into a CJNG cell, says the treasure.
Washington accuses him of being “involved in the Transportation, import and distribution of narcoticsincluding fentanil, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana “, as well as importing” fentanyl and precursors of methamphetamine obtained from China. “
He carries a luxurious life train, he adds, which includes “the possession of exotic animals and dozens of vehicles“High -end.
Recently, Primito and his network have reoriented their activity towards the fuel theft “Due to its high profit margins,” reports the treasure.
Read more: the members of the Lorenzana clan who have been captured by drug trafficking
The Ofac also sanctioned two of his brothers: Álvaro Noé Morfín Morfín and Remigio Morfín Morfín, as well as two transport companies of hazardous materials: SLA Environmental Logistics Services and Jala Logistics Group.
As a result of the sanctions, all the goods and participations of the sanctioned that are in the United States or that are held or under the control of Americans are blocked.
In addition, the Treasury Financial Crime Control Network issued an alert with information about information about oil smuggling schemes.