Colima residents denounce arbitrary arrests, allege framing as fuel thieves

Residents of the Tapeixtles ejido in Manzanillo, Colima, have denounced what they describe as illegal detentions by the State Preventive Police. The police allegedly raided a local soccer field on August 12, arresting several individuals who were subsequently presented to the Federal Public Ministry as alleged fuel thieves caught in the act.

The Federal Attorney General's Office (FGR) in Colima issued a bulletin stating that Leonel “N”, Joel René “N”, Fernando “N”, Armando “N”, Víctor “N”, and José “N” were arrested by state police for allegedly illegally extracting hydrocarbons from a Pemex pipeline. The FGR reported that the six men have been linked to proceedings following the execution of a search warrant, which also led to the seizure of seven tanker trucks, fuel, two underground taps, and three vans.

However, families and friends of Joel René and Leonel dispute the official account. They assert that at least these two individuals were arrested by state police while attending a soccer match to watch friends play. They claim both men were visiting the area and were not involved in any illicit activity.

To support their claims of illegal arrest, relatives have requested witnesses who were present at the soccer match on August 12 to provide photographic or video evidence. They are demanding a serious and transparent investigation into the detentions, asserting that innocent people have been arrested. One family stated that Joel René has lived in Visalia, California, for years and was only visiting his father for his birthday.