Pemex shuts 103 petrol stations due to the sale of stolen fuel

Known as "huachicoleros”, criminals steal fuel from the official supply lines and then sell it to gas stations. Mexico’s new government is trying to clamp down on such activities.

Contracts assigned to 103 gas stations by Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) will be revoked due to the sale of stolen gasoline and diesel, according to a new report by the Energy Regulatory Commission (Comisión Reguladora de Energía, CRE).

The reports specifies that "Pemex has reported to the Energy Regulatory Commission the revocation of 103 commercialization and franchise contracts to sell gasoline and diesel to the public due to irregularities in the volumetric controls, which presumably are due to activities with hydrocarbons of illicit origin.”

The states of Puebla, Guanajuato and State of Mexico account for the highest number of penalized stations, according to debate.mx.

In addition to the illegal sale of fuel, Pemex is currently facing a supply issue with various regions around Mexico suffering from shortages.