Mega 'Huachicol' Center Dismantled in Northern Veracruz; 12 Arrested

Federal forces in the northern region of Veracruz, Mexico, have successfully dismantled a major clandestine operation involved in the storage and distribution of illegal fuel, commonly known as "huachicol."

The operation, conducted in the municipality of Tihuatlán, led to the arrest of 12 individuals. Agents from the Attorney General's Office (FGR) located and secured the facility, which contained over 250,000 liters of hydrocarbons. The site also housed a significant amount of equipment, including 20 tractor-trailers, 12 storage tanks, 52 cubitainers, motobombs, various trucks, and a motorcycle.

Authorities executed a search warrant at a property in the locality of Plan de Ayala following an anonymous tip alleging the illicit storage of fuel. During the raid, police officers apprehended the 12 suspects and seized various items, including laboratory equipment, payment tags, identification cards, computer equipment, checkbooks, CDs, and purchase receipts.

The operation involved a coordinated effort between federal prosecutors, including the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Regional Control (FECOR) in Veracruz, and elements from the Federal Ministerial Police and the Federal Forensic Pericial Center of the Criminal Investigation Agency (AIC). The State Public Security Secretariat also participated. The arrested individuals, the seized property, and all confiscated materials have been placed at the disposal of the relevant ministerial authorities.