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Ex-Governor Ernesto Ruffo Arrested for Fuel Smuggling
🇲🇽 Mexico /Crime & Justice

Ex-Governor Ernesto Ruffo Arrested for Fuel Smuggling

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Former Baja California Governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel was arrested on charges of fuel smuggling.
  • The arrest stems from a complex investigation into large-scale fuel smuggling operations by a company he owns.
  • Ruffo Appel faces charges of organized crime and smuggling, with his detention carried out by security forces.

Ernesto Ruffo Appel, a former governor of Baja California, has been arrested by the Attorney General's Office (FGR) on suspicion of fuel smuggling. The apprehension occurred in Ensenada following a court order obtained by federal prosecutors.

The arrest is linked to a sophisticated investigation into extensive fuel smuggling activities allegedly conducted by a company owned by Ruffo Appel. The charges against the former governor include involvement in organized crime and smuggling offenses. The Federal Public Ministry secured the arrest warrant based on evidence suggesting his potential complicity.

Security forces from the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection carried out the detention. This development follows recent reports indicating a significant increase in the prison population during 2025, with over 157,000 individuals entering correctional facilities, according to INEGI data.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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