Woman Arrested in Mexico Linked to Ex-Governor's Fuel Smuggling Ring; 9 Detained

Authorities in Mexico City have arrested Guadalupe "N," who is allegedly involved in a fuel smuggling network tied to former Baja California governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel. The Federal Attorney General's Office (FGR) reported the arrest, bringing the total number of detainees in the case to nine. The FGR described the operation as the largest hydrocarbon smuggling case, causing an estimated damage of over 4 million pesos to public funds.

Agents from the Criminal Investigation Agency and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection apprehended Guadalupe Hernández Hinojosa in Mexico City. She faces charges of organized crime and smuggling. The FGR stated that she was presented to the case judge.

According to the investigation, Guadalupe Hernández Hinojosa is identified as the legal representative of Ingemar S.A. de C.V., a company in which Ruffo Appel is a partner. This company allegedly used rail tank cars to smuggle fuel. The FGR's evidence suggests that Hernández Hinojosa participated in foreign trade operations where declared hydrocarbon volumes were significantly lower than those actually transported.

She is also accused of involvement in various legal and commercial transactions related to the company's operations, including finalizing contracts for fuel distribution and dealing with customs authorities regarding irregularities. Hernández Hinojosa was also an authorized signatory on several of Ingemar's bank accounts, allegedly allowing her to participate in the company's financial management.

The FGR believes her role included corporate representation, financial administration, and executing legal acts connected to the investigated company's commercial activities. The other individuals arrested in connection with this case include Ernesto Guillermo Ruffo Appel, Ricardo Thompson Navarro, Juan Hermilo Chávez Rodríguez, Guillermo de la Peña Rosales, José María de la Peña Ramos, Luis Antonio Barrientos Juárez, Adriana Magali Bárcenas Guillén, and José Merino Valdés Cuervo.