Ex-Governor Ruffo Accused of Involvement in "Colossal" Fuel Trafficking Network

Ernestina Godoy Ramos, head of the Attorney General's Office (FGR), announced the arrest of Ernesto Ruffo Appel, former governor of Baja California, and four other individuals. They are allegedly part of a "colossal network" involved in the illicit trafficking of fuel through tank cars across eight Mexican states. This operation has reportedly caused over 4 billion pesos in damages to the public treasury due to unpaid taxes.

Godoy Ramos stated that a complex investigation led the FGR to launch a broad operation to dismantle a criminal organization responsible for the illegal introduction of fuels into Mexico. The FGR obtained arrest warrants for 25 individuals in the initial phase of the operation, including Ruffo Appel, who has since been detained.

The FGR's investigation revealed that the network operated by evading the payment of relevant contributions, leading to significant fiscal losses. The operation targeted the illegal importation of fuels, highlighting a major challenge in combating organized crime and tax evasion within the energy sector. Ruffo Appel was transferred to FGR facilities in Tijuana for medical examinations following his arrest.