Trial Begins Against Two People in Veracruz Real Estate Cartel Case

A trial has begun against a public notary and a private individual accused of taking control of a multimillion-peso property in Xalapa, in a case tied to the alleged network known as the Veracruz Real Estate Cartel.

The property belongs to Fincar Maz S.A. de C.V. and covers 120,000 square metres, or 12 hectares. Its current value exceeds 500 million pesos. Authorities say the land changed hands through allegedly irregular legal proceedings.

Criminal lawyer Jorge Reyes Peralta said that, after more than three years of litigation, the Veracruz State Attorney General’s Office had finally brought the investigation before the courts. The case concerns alleged generic fraud and crimes against public trust.

The investigation names Martha Leticia “N” and Miguel Ángel “N,” a public notary in Xalapa. Reyes Peralta said Martha Leticia “N” filed a claim seeking ownership of the property through prescription. Using a provisional court ruling, she asked the notary to formalise her as the owner.

The notary, who had previously served as a state official, allegedly completed the formalisation and immediately arranged a sale for 98 million pesos to two buyers. Reyes Peralta said the case was only one of dozens in which private individuals, notaries and even state officials are allegedly involved in protecting the network.