BTN News: Iván Cazarín Molina, also known as “El Tanque,” a key figure in the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), has been targeted by U.S. sanctions for his involvement in a large-scale fuel theft operation in Mexico. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Cazarín Molina manages a lucrative division of the cartel that steals and resells gasoline, generating tens of millions of dollars annually. This fuel, taken from storage tanks in Veracruz and sold through seemingly legitimate businesses, highlights the extensive reach of organized crime in Mexico and its impact on international markets. The recent sanctions, announced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), aim to curb these illegal activities and disrupt CJNG’s financial network.
‘El Tanque’ and the CJNG’s Fuel Theft Empire
Iván Cazarín Molina, or “El Tanque,” derives his nickname not from a battlefield weapon, but from the massive fuel storage tanks he oversees in Veracruz, a critical point along Mexico’s Gulf Coast. As head of CJNG’s fuel theft division, Cazarín Molina reportedly siphons millions from Mexico’s petroleum sector, illegally tapping pipelines, hijacking tanker trucks, and even stealing directly from refineries. This illicit operation fuels a network of gas stations controlled by the cartel, with names like “Etanofuel” and “G Energy,” which appear as legitimate businesses but are fronts for the cartel’s stolen fuel trade.
U.S. Sanctions Target CJNG’s Financial Networks
On Tuesday, the OFAC imposed sanctions on Cazarín Molina, eight other Mexican nationals, and 26 companies with ties to CJNG’s operations. These sanctions freeze any assets they hold in the United States and ban American entities from conducting business with them. The move is part of a broader effort by the U.S. government to dismantle the financial underpinnings of organized crime groups in Mexico, including the powerful CJNG.
Impact of Fuel Theft on Mexico’s Economy
Fuel theft remains a major issue in Mexico, costing the government and Pemex, the state-run oil company, billions of dollars annually. Organized crime groups like CJNG play a significant role in these losses, using sophisticated methods to extract and resell stolen fuel. In response, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has deployed military forces to secure pipelines and refineries. However, the persistence of these criminal activities demonstrates the challenges Mexico faces in combating the influence of organized crime.
‘El Mencho’ and the CJNG’s Expanding Influence
Cazarín Molina reports directly to Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” the elusive leader of the CJNG. Under Oseguera Cervantes’ leadership, the CJNG has expanded beyond drug trafficking into diverse sectors, including fuel theft, agriculture, and even internet services. The U.S. government, which has placed a $10 million bounty on “El Mencho,” considers him one of the most dangerous criminal figures in the world.
Family Ties and Wider Implications
The sanctions also target several of Cazarín Molina’s family members, including a brother and father-in-law currently imprisoned in Mexico but believed to remain active in CJNG’s criminal operations. A nephew is also listed among those sanctioned, illustrating the extensive familial ties that help sustain the cartel’s illicit activities.
Fuel Trade Reaches U.S. Shores
While most of the stolen fuel is sold domestically through CJNG-controlled gas stations, a portion is smuggled to third parties and eventually makes its way to the United States. This cross-border element highlights the international dimension of CJNG’s fuel theft operations, raising concerns about the cartel’s ability to penetrate legitimate markets beyond Mexico.
Conclusion: U.S. and Mexico Tighten the Noose on CJNG
The new sanctions represent a coordinated effort between the U.S. and Mexican governments to dismantle CJNG’s sprawling criminal enterprise. By targeting individuals like Iván Cazarín Molina and their business networks, authorities aim to disrupt the cartel’s financial stability and limit its capacity for criminal operations. However, with deep-rooted connections and diversified income streams, the CJNG remains a formidable opponent in the fight against organized crime.
