The government is investigating whether several U.S. companies were involved in a cross-border scheme to siphon oil products from Mexico’s state oil company and smuggle them across the border. The probe is part of a broader two-year joint U.S.-Mexican investigation into a network of Mexican oil smugglers supported by the Gulf drug cartel, a Mexican criminal organization, according to the Wall Street Journal. John Morton, the assistant secretary of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said his agency was looking into whether U.S. refiners knowingly bought the stolen products. He declined to name any of the refineries or other companies because the investigation is continuing. “People are going to jail,” Mr. Morton said at a news conference yesterday in San Antonio. “Fines will be paid.” Investigators didn’t specify either the quantity or value of the smuggled oil products. But they said the operation involved some U.S. companies that allegedly knew the oil was stolen. They have executed 10 search warrants in Texas.
Mexico Oil Scam Probe Widens to Include U.S. Refiners
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is looking into whether U.S. refiners knowingly bought the stolen products.