Suspected fuel thief apprehended in Tultitlán; illegal tapping point and stolen tanker seized

In a significant operation against fuel theft, state security forces in Tultitlán, Mexico, have apprehended a man believed to be involved in the illicit siphoning of hydrocarbons. The arrest took place following reports of gunfire in the Lázaro Cárdenas neighborhood, leading authorities to a clandestine tapping point connected to a stolen tanker truck. This bust underscores the persistent problem of 'huachicol,' the illegal tapping of fuel pipelines, which plagues several regions in Mexico.

During the operation, police discovered a substantial clandestine setup: a deep hole, approximately one meter square and 1.20 meters deep, from which a high-pressure hose was connected to a red hose leading to a white tanker truck. This truck was found to have a valid stolen report dating back to February 19, 2026. The tanker was carrying an estimated 6,000 liters of stolen fuel, highlighting the scale of these illegal operations.

The detained individual, identified as Fernando 'N,' 35, has been handed over to the Public Ministry for legal proceedings. The incident also involved a pursuit, as occupants of a van and a motorcycle reportedly fired shots to facilitate the escape of other potential accomplices, though no injuries were reported. This operation is part of ongoing efforts by the State of Mexico's Security Secretariat to combat organized crime and the dangerous illegal fuel trade.