Mexico Arrests Alleged Gulf Cartel Money Man in Fuel-Smuggling Raids
MEXICO · ORGANISED CRIME
Key Facts
- —The country Mexico, where criminal groups trade in illegal fuel as well as drugs.
- —Why it matters The government says such raids aim to cut off cartel funding from the illicit fuel market, a priority under President Claudia Sheinbaum.
- —What happened On Sunday 27 September officials announced the arrest of Jesús Manuel “N”, alias “El Bebo”, after 19 raids in three northern states. Two other people were detained.
- —The numbers About 500,000 litres of fuel, 84 tractor units, 107 tanker trailers, two aircraft and 13 properties were seized, according to the Defence Ministry.
- —What it means for you Little directly. For businesses in Tamaulipas, Nuevo León and Chihuahua, it signals continued federal pressure on illegal fuel networks.
- —Still open Whether a judge will send him to trial, and the exact date and place of his capture.
Mexican federal forces have arrested a man they describe as the money manager of Los Metros, a faction of the Gulf Cartel. Officials link him to a network that smuggled fuel into Mexico from abroad.
The Security Cabinet, which coordinates Mexico’s federal security agencies, announced the arrest on Sunday 27 September. El Financiero and sdpnoticias both reported that the man, Jesús Manuel “N”, is known as “El Bebo”.
Nineteen raids in three states
According to El Universal and El Financiero, army special forces, the National Guard and the Attorney General’s Office carried out 19 searches. They took place in Chihuahua, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas, the states along much of the US border.
El Financiero reported, citing the Defence Ministry, that the arrests came on 24 and 25 September after military intelligence work. Two other people were detained alongside him.
The ministry listed 13 properties, two aircraft, 50 vehicles, 84 tractor units and 107 tanker trailers among the seizures. It also listed four storage tanks, 11 fuel pumps and 49 rubbish lorries.
About 500,000 litres of fuel were taken, El Universal and Animal Político reported, along with methamphetamine, ammunition and cash.
The US ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, praised the arrest on social media on 27 September, El Universal and Excélsior reported. He said such operations target the wider networks that sustain the cartels.
What he is accused of
He had an arrest warrant from a federal judge for organised crime, in the form of handling illicit funds. El Universal reported that investigators tie him to smuggling foreign fuel to dodge taxes.
Mexicans call this huachicol fiscal. Unlike pipeline theft, it relies on false import papers to avoid customs duty and fuel tax.
Infobae and MVS Noticias reported that he answered directly to César Morfín, alias “El Primito”. Officials identify Morfín as the head of Los Metros.
Infobae, citing US drug agency assessments, described the Gulf Cartel as split into rival factions. Los Metros is one of its two main factions, fighting rivals for routes in Tamaulipas.
The case follows the jailing of a former navy officer over fuel smuggling, reported in Mexico: Fuel Smuggling Case Puts Ex-Rear Admiral Behind Bars. It also follows a pact covered in Mexico Unites Treasury, Financial Intelligence and Pemex Against Fuel Theft.
What Is Not Yet Known
The exact date and place of the arrest are unclear. The Defence Ministry, via El Financiero, gave 24 and 25 September; sdpnoticias said 27 September. XEVA reported that he was held in Chihuahua.
No court has yet ruled on the charges. He is presumed innocent, and no statement from his defence has been reported.
Officials have not named the other two detainees, nor said what share of the seized fuel was smuggled.
Sources: El Financiero; sdpnoticias; El Universal and on the US reaction; Animal Político; Infobae; MVS Noticias; XEVA; Security Cabinet and Defence Ministry statements of 27 September 2026.
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