Ongoing Attacks Uncover CJNG’s Operations in Northern Mexico

A string of recent actions by Mexican authorities has shed light on how the Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) has quietly set up operations for fuel theft and smuggling in northern Mexico and southern Texas. This comes on the heels of reports concerning how CJNG has established a foothold in Coahuila, a state in the north.

In a recent raid near Saltillo, Coahuila, federal authorities seized a significant cache of illegal fuel. The operation uncovered numerous trucks, trailers, fuel pumps, and containers holding over 2 million liters of stolen fuel. Omar Garcia Hahchu, a leading health official in Mexico, indicated that this raid was connected to the recent seizure of a fuel tanker in Tamaulipas, another border state.

There are growing concerns regarding CJNG’s efforts to expand its territory in the border region, particularly in Coahuila, which has historically seen state officials suppress cartel-related activities. This has raised alarms in local communities, as cartel presence has been a persistent issue.

The recent fuel-related incidents seem to align with a broader investigation into fuel smuggling, which has intensified due to pressure from the U.S. government. As a result, Mexico is stepping up its crackdown on CJNG and its operations. This situation develops amid allegations that Morena, the ruling party in Mexico, is receiving campaign funds stemming from illegal fuel theft linked to organized crime.

According to information revealed by the U.S. Treasury Department, CJNG is reportedly smuggling fuel stolen from the Mexican oil company Pemex into Texas and collaborating with specific refineries to market this fuel. They have been misrepresenting the stolen fuel as waste to evade detection at ports of entry.