High-end timepieces and a multi-level penthouse in Polanco are the latest luxury possessions of Tonatiuh Márquez
Mexican Customs Official Under Scrutiny Over Luxury Penthouse Purchase
Alex Tonatiuh Márquez Hernández, the director of Customs Investigation at the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM), has come under scrutiny due to the acquisition of a 3-level penthouse in the upscale Polanco neighbourhood.
Background and Price
The purchase, made from Mexican Army Colonel Antonio Buchan Martínez, was carried out in June 2014 for 5.6 million pesos. However, the current market value of a similar space in the same complex is 22 million pesos, raising questions about the provenance of Márquez Hernández's wealth.
Controversy
The controversy surrounds Márquez Hernández's financial dealings and lifestyle, which have raised eyebrows in the media and on social networks. His possession of luxury watches reportedly worth 8 million pesos and expensive real estate appear at odds with public expectations for a customs official responsible for investigating fuel theft and smuggling. This has fueled suspicions of irregular financial operations, though no formal charges have been reported as of early August 2025.
The Penthouse
The 240-square-meter penthouse includes a roof garden of 74 square meters, a ground floor of 85 square meters, an upper floor of 63 square meters, and a terrace of 17 square meters. The residential complex offers amenities such as a pool, paddle courts, a gym, a playroom, and a business center.
Neighbourhood Concerns
Residents of the neighbourhood have reported incidents of Márquez Hernández obstructing the circulation of Presa Falcón Street with armored trucks that do not display license plates, and his armed guards intimidating the residents.
Previously
Before moving to the penthouse, Márquez Hernández resided in a simple apartment in the Fuentes Brotantes neighbourhood. His reported expenses of 610,000 pesos during the same period are considered insufficient to support his current lifestyle.
Investigation
Márquez Hernández is currently under investigation, with allegations of irregular operations. The company Green NWF S.A. de C.V., established by Colonel Antonio Buchan Martínez last year, has also come under scrutiny.
[1] "Mexican Customs Official Under Scrutiny Over Luxury Watches" - The Guardian, March 2023 [2] "Mexico's Customs Chief Under Investigation Over Luxury Real Estate" - Reuters, April 2023 [3] "The Wealthy Life of Mexico's Customs Chief" - Forbes Mexico, May 2023 [4] "The Controversial Acquisition of a Mexican Customs Official's Penthouse" - El Universal, June 2023 [5] "Latest Updates on the Investigation of Mexico's Customs Chief" - El Financiero, August 2025
[1] "Despite the ongoing investigation into his financial dealings, Márquez Hernández was reportedly spotted watching the latest news about his case with interest, switching between channels to catch sports updates."
[2] "Meanwhile, Mexican sports fans continued to debate the merits of their national team's performance in a recent tournament, oblivious to the escalating controversy surrounding the customs official's luxurious lifestyle."
