Confiscated over 15 million liters of fuel theft in Tamaulipas, Mexico - a significant seizure of huachicol.
Mexico Cracks Down on Fuel Theft in Tamaulipas
Mexican authorities have made a significant stride in the fight against fuel trafficking with a major operation in Tamaulipas, seizing over 1.8 million liters of stolen fuel and dozens of vehicles. The operation, dubbed "Operativo Norte," took place on July 26, 2025, and marked one of the largest seizures in recent history.
The operation in Tamaulipas, particularly in Reynosa, underscores Mexico's ongoing efforts to combat huachicol, a crime that not only drains public resources but also endangers lives. The seized fuel is now under the custody of the Federal Attorney General's Office (FGR) and will be assessed for quality before being redistributed.
The largest haul of the operation was discovered in Altamira, where 10 million liters of diesel were found. This seizure highlights the growing sophistication of fuel trafficking operations and the deep criminal roots tied to Mexican cartels that steal fuel by tapping pipelines near the U.S. border and resell it.
Unfortunately, the operation has been met with violence. On August 4, 2025, the Tamaulipas state delegate of the Federal Attorney General’s Office, Ernesto Cuitláhuac Vázquez Reyna, who was investigating these crimes, was assassinated in Reynosa. His attack involved a grenade and gunfire, with indications that it was retaliation for the crackdown on the fuel theft network. Authorities have arrested a suspect, Jaret Roberto Hernández Rojas, linked to Los Metros and responsible for the delegate’s killing.
The conflict between Mexican authorities and organized criminal groups engaged in fuel theft near the Texas border continues to escalate. On August 15, 2025, another related operation in Reynosa resulted in the arrest of a suspect and the seizure of 55,000 liters of fuel and a tanker truck.
President Claudia Sheinbaum has vowed to prosecute any public officials or private entities involved in huachicol, and the ongoing investigations aim to dismantle the logistics networks behind the illicit trade in Tamaulipas. The operation was executed by the State Attorney General's Office (PGJE) and the National Guard, and was led by the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, the National Guard, and the Federal Attorney General's Office (FGR). The truck was intercepted in Ciudad Victoria, the capital city of Tamaulipas.
This seizure brings the total amount of fuel confiscated in the "Operativo Norte" operation to approximately 15.7 million liters, a significant step in the fight against fuel trafficking in Mexico.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Location | Seizure Details | Related Events | |----------------|----------|------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | July 26, 2025 | Reynosa | 1.8 million liters of stolen fuel; dozens of vehicles seized | Federal prosecutor Vázquez Reyna leads investigations | | August 4, 2025 | Reynosa | — | Assassination of prosecutor Vázquez Reyna, likely linked to fuel theft retaliation | | August 15, 2025| Reynosa | 55,000 liters of fuel seized; suspect arrested | Continued enforcement operations |
The recent operation in Tamaulipas, specifically in Reynosa, is a testament to Mexico's ongoing battle against huachicol, a form of fuel theft, as it falls under the realm of crime-and-justice. President Claudia Sheinbaum has made it clear that public officials or private entities involved in this illicit trade will be prosecuted, which is a significant political stance. Furthermore, the continuous investigations aim to dismantle the logistics networks behind the fuel theft, thereby addressing the issue's general-news significance.
