On July 25, 2025, Mexican authorities executed a major blow against fuel theft networks in Tamaulipas, seizing more than 15.4 million liters of huachicol—illegally obtained fuel—in a coordinated operation spanning multiple municipalities.
The operation, dubbed “Operativo Norte,” was led by the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, the National Guard, and the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR). In Matamoros, near the U.S. border, officials intercepted 110,000 liters of fuel hidden in tankers with falsified documentation. This confiscation added to earlier seizures, including 2.2 million liters found in 17 rail tankers on July 22.
The largest haul occurred in Altamira, where 10 million liters of diesel were discovered entering via maritime routes. These seizures are part of a broader crackdown on organized fuel theft, which has plagued northern Mexico for years.
President Claudia Sheinbaum and Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch confirmed that the fuel is now under FGR custody. Authorities will assess its quality before redistributing it to military units, public institutions, or vulnerable communities. Sheinbaum emphasized that no impunity will be tolerated, vowing to prosecute any public officials or private entities involved.
This seizure marks one of the largest in recent history and highlights the growing sophistication of fuel trafficking operations. Investigations are ongoing, and officials are working to dismantle the logistics networks behind the illicit trade.
The Tamaulipas operation underscores Mexico’s intensified efforts to combat huachicol, a crime that not only drains public resources but also endangers lives through unsafe fuel handling and transport. As the government tightens its grip, civil society watches closely for lasting accountability and reform.
Source: Excelsior
