Huachicol Laundering: Ojeda Nephews’ Network Exposed

Alleged Navy Network Laundered ‘Huachicol’ Profits, Mexican Investigation Reveals

The Attorney General’s Office (FGR) has uncovered evidence suggesting a network of public officials, civil servants, and companies linked to Vice Admiral Manuel Roberto Farías Laguna and his brother, Rear Admiral Fernando Farías Laguna, allegedly laundered profits from illegal fuel trafficking – known as “huachicol” – and engaged in tax fraud and corruption. The findings, detailed in an arrest warrant for the two sailors in criminal case 325/2025, paint a picture of illicit enrichment far exceeding their legitimate income.

Expanding Investigation into ‘Fiscal Huachicol’

The FGR’s investigation stems from broader concerns about “fiscal huachicol,” or fuel theft, and its connection to organized crime.according to the warrant, analysts believe manuel Roberto Farías Laguna is at the center of a network dedicated to crimes of corruption, tax fraud, and money laundering, a suspicion initially raised by a video circulating on social media.

“From the aforementioned, the possibility arises that manuel Roberto Farías Laguna is part of a network… who probably carry out conduct aimed at crimes… of illicit origin,” the FGR document states.

Discrepancies Between Income and Lifestyle

Federal authorities have flagged significant discrepancies between the financial information and legal income of the farías Laguna brothers and their extravagant spending habits. Investigators assert that the brothers engaged in numerous large cash transactions that do not align with their reported earnings.The FGR believes they may have engaged in “operations simulation” – concealing the true nature of financial transactions – and acquired real estate and vehicles using illicit funds.

Communications Data links Brothers to Key Locations

Detailed analysis of communication records further implicates the brothers

Financial Irregularities Highlighted in Investigation

In 2024, Fernando Farías Laguna received 1,765,612.20 pesos in payroll and 17,434,215.93 pesos in deductions, exceeding his income by 5,668,603.73 pesos. In 2023 alone,his expenses surpassed his payroll income by a significant margin.

Cash Transactions and Property Acquisitions Raise Red flags

Further scrutiny of Fernando Farías Laguna’s finances revealed substantial cash transactions.He acquired a property in 2019 for 175,000 pesos, a vehicle in 2023 for 1,892,900.00 pesos, and made cash payments exceeding 500,000 pesos. He also issued a cashier’s check for 2,250,000.00 pesos to María Eugenia Farías y Gutiérrez and contributed 11,135,981.76 pesos to a life insurance policy.

Notably, a property sale in 2020 involved Manuel Roberto and Fernando Farías Laguna as sellers and María Eugenia Farías y Gutiérrez as the buyer, with payments made via cashier’s checks totaling 2,250,000.00 pesos. Investigators suggest this transaction may have been a simulated sale, possibly involving a relative.

Manuel roberto Farías Laguna also engaged in significant cash transactions, including 677,992.83 pesos in cash payments towards the purchase of a property in 2019, registered in the name of Lucía León Molina, reportedly his spouse.He also sold a property in 2020,partially funded by a cashier’s check.

insurance and Banking Activity Under Scrutiny

The investigation also uncovered substantial financial activity involving insurance and banking institutions. Manuel Roberto Farías Laguna made deposits and premium payments totaling 7,121,640.99 pesos through Mapfre Tepeyac, SA, and maintained an account at the National Bank of the Army, Air Force and Navy. In 2023,he issued a check for 1,166,000.00 pesos to Toluca Planta de Distribución,SA de CV,a BMW vehicle supplier.

The FGR’s investigation remains ongoing, with authorities seeking to intercept private communications to further unravel the alleged network and its illicit activities. The case underscores the challenges Mexico faces in combating corruption and financial crimes within its institutions.