Current:Home > MyMexican authorities find the bodies of 9 men near pipeline. Fuel theft by gangs is widespread-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Mexican authorities find the bodies of 9 men near pipeline. Fuel theft by gangs is widespread
View Date:2024-12-23 22:31:06
JONACAPA, Hidalgo (AP) — Authorities in central Mexico said Tuesday they found the bodies of nine men in vehicles near a fuel pipeline.
The circumstances around the deaths remained under investigation, but there were indications that fuel theft may have been involved. Mexico faces a problem with gangs that steal gasoline, diesel and natural gas from government pipelines.
Ángel Rangel Nieves, police chief of San Juan del Rio city in the central state of Queretaro, said the bodies were found in two vehicles near the pipeline north of Mexico City. The vehicles had license plates from the neighboring state of Hidalgo, considered one of the centers of fuel theft.
Since taking office in December 2018, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has made fighting fuel theft a central goal of his administration. But despite thousands of troops being deployed to guard pipelines, thousands of illegal taps are still found every year.
In 2023, about 5,600 illegal taps were found nationwide. That was down from over 7,000 in 2022 but almost the same level as when López Obrador took office.
The government has cracked down on open sales of stolen fuel and managed to reduce the volume for a couple of years. Stolen fuels are often sold by the side of the road and sometimes through licensed gas stations.
Losses from stolen fuel at the state-owned oil company, Petroleos Mexicanos, dropped to as little as $275 million per year in 2019 and 2020. But since then losses have ballooned, rising to over $1.1 billion in 2022.
The pipeline taps cause violence between gangs and pose a risk to residents. To gain support among local people, thieves sometimes leave taps open.
On Jan. 18, 2019, an explosion at an illegally tapped pipeline in Hidalgo state killed at least 134 people. The explosion occurred in the town of Tlahuelilpan as residents collected gasoline leaking from the tap.
veryGood! (287)
Related
- Does your dog have arthritis? A lot of them do. But treatment can be tricky
- Florida State drops out of AP Top 25 after 0-2 start. Texas up to No. 3 behind Georgia, Ohio State
- Jesse Metcalfe Reveals Status of John Tucker Must Die Friendships Ahead of Sequel
- Actor Ed Burns wrote a really good novel: What's based on real life and what's fiction
- Francesca Farago Details Health Complications That Led to Emergency C-Section of Twins
- Origins of the Jeep: The birthing of an off-road legend
- 1,000-Lb. Sisters' Amy Slaton Allegedly Had Mushrooms and Cannabis on Her When Arrested After Camel Bite
- Florida ‘whistleblower’ says he was fired for leaking plans to build golf courses in state parks
- Mike Tyson emerges as heavyweight champ among product pitchmen before Jake Paul fight
- Bears 'Hard Knocks' takeaways: Caleb Williams shines; where's the profanity?
Ranking
- Video shows Starlink satellite that resembled fireball breaking up over the Southwest: Watch
- Travis Barker's FaceTime Video Voicemails to Daughter Alabama Barker Will Poosh You to Tears
- Police in Hawaii release man who killed neighbor who fatally shot 3 people at gathering
- Luca Guadagnino and Daniel Craig present ‘Queer’ to Venice Film Festival
- Bridgerton's Luke Newton Details His Physical Transformation for Season 3's Leading Role
- 11-year-old boy charged with killing former Louisiana city mayor, his daughter: Police
- Minnesota man with history of driving drunk charged in patio crash that killed 2 and injured 9
- Zendaya and Tom Holland Are the Perfect Match During Lowkey Los Angeles Outing
Recommendation
-
Amazon launches an online discount storefront to better compete with Shein and Temu
-
Mia Farrow says she 'completely' understands if actors work with Woody Allen
-
Chicago man charged in fatal shooting of 4 sleeping on train near Forest Park: police
-
The cost of a Costco membership has officially increased for first time since 2017
-
Women’s baseball players could soon have a league of their own again
-
Election 2024 Latest: Trump and Harris zero in on economic policy plans ahead of first debate
-
Neighbor charged with murder of couple who went missing from California nudist resort
-
The War on Drugs announces a live album ahead of its tour with The National