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Pemex Discovers Major Fuel Theft Tunnel Amid Drug Seizure

2/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) reported authorities raided a 22-meter tunnel in Tepetitlan, Hidalgo used to steal fuel from a Pemex pipeline.
Security forces seized drugs at the site.
No arrests have been made.
The black-market fuel trade known as huachicol has evolved from local gangs to powerful cartels and generates billions.
Pemex reported over 11,000 illegal taps in 2024, and efforts to combat the trade have not shown sustained improvement.

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Story summary

Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) reported authorities raided a 22-meter tunnel in Tepetitlan, Hidalgo used to steal fuel from a Pemex pipeline.
Security forces seized drugs at the site.
No arrests have been made.
The black-market fuel trade known as huachicol has evolved from local gangs to powerful cartels and generates billions.
Pemex reported over 11,000 illegal taps in 2024, and efforts to combat the trade have not shown sustained improvement.