US sanctions individuals and companies linked to Jalisco Cartel for fuel theft

The United States has imposed sanctions on individuals and companies allegedly involved in a fuel smuggling operation benefiting the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The Treasury Department announced Tuesday that two Mexican citizens and nine companies are targeted for their alleged roles in a network that illicitly transported fuel from the U.S. into Mexico.

According to the Treasury Department, this network acquired gasoline, diesel, and other fuels in the United States, then smuggled them into Mexico using fraudulent customs documentation and shell companies. The operation aimed to evade taxes and generated an estimated tens of millions of dollars annually for the cartel. This move underscores the evolving criminal enterprises of Mexican cartels, which are increasingly diversifying their revenue streams beyond traditional drug trafficking.

“

Today's action highlights the extent to which Mexican cartels are expanding beyond traditional drug trafficking to generate revenue for their criminal organizations, which continue to traffic lethal drugs that kill Americans.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the sanctions highlight the extent to which Mexican cartels are expanding their operations beyond drug trafficking to generate income. He emphasized that these organizations continue to traffic lethal drugs that harm Americans. The sanctioned individuals, known as 'huachicoleros,' are accused of using various methods, including bribing corrupt employees, to steal fuel and crude oil from Mexico's state-owned oil company, Pemex.

Among those sanctioned is Óscar Guillermo Juraidini Silva, identified as a financial operator for the CJNG responsible for creating shell companies and falsifying documents to facilitate the irregular import of fuel. Another sanctioned individual, J. Refugio Ruiz Villagómez, is allegedly linked to companies like Jomadi Logistics & Cargo and Ahavat Logistics Solution, accused of participating in the illegal transfer of fuel without proper permits. The CJNG is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.

“

The network acquired gasoline, diesel, and other fuels in the United States to illegally introduce them into Mexico through false customs documentation, shell companies, and other maneuvers aimed at evading taxes and thus generating 'tens of millions of dollars annually for the cartel.'