Semar reports death of sailor accused of fuel theft

Captain Abraham Jeremías Pérez Ramírez, head of the Altamira Port Protection Unit and allegedly implicated in the federal investigation into the fuel theft ring, was found dead this Monday in the industrial port of Tamaulipas.

According to local press reports, which El Economista was unable to corroborate, the captain allegedly took his own life with a firearm around 9:30 a.m. while in an official van inside the port facilities.

The Attorney General's Office (FGR) took control of the scene and the investigation, as the incident involved an element of the Navy (Semar) and was registered in federal jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the Semar confirmed the death through a message on the social network X, in which it expressed its condolences to Pérez Ramírez's family, friends, and colleagues.

The institution assured that all appropriate support will be provided and reiterated its willingness to collaborate in clarifying the facts.

Fuel theft

Pérez Martínez allegedly received bribes related to the massive seizure of 10 million liters of diesel in Tampico, Tamaulipas.

His professional career was linked to security tasks in the ports of the Gulf of Mexico.

Between 2015 and 2019, he worked as a port inspection officer, later as a naval logistics coordinator for security operations (2019–2022), and since 2023, he held the position of head of the Port Protection Unit (UNAPROP) in Altamira, Tamaulipas.

The death occurred one day after the federal security cabinet announced the arrest of 14 people allegedly linked to the fuel smuggling network, including five active and one retired sailor. Among those arrested was Vice Admiral Manuel Roberto Farías Laguna, nephew-in-law of former Navy Secretary Rafael Ojeda.

During last Sunday's press conference, Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection Omar García Harfuch reported that, in addition to the arrests, 20 individuals and legal entities linked to the network were added to the Blocked Persons List. The operations were deployed in Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Mexico City.

Arrival of ship triggered investigation

President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo reiterated that former Secretary of the Navy, Rafael Ojeda, was the one who filed complaints with the Attorney General's Office (FGR) regarding the fuel smuggling operations known as huachicol fiscal.

At a press conference, the Mexican president explained that the recent arrests of 14 people, including businesspeople and active and retired Navy personnel, stemmed from an investigation initiated after a ship arrived at the port of Tampico. The ship was reported to be carrying a substance not considered combustible, which allowed it to enter under a temporary permit. However, upon inspection, it was found to actually contain diesel.

"When a situation is found that is evident, a network of corruption and illicit activities, what must be done is zero impunity and arrest all those involved," he said.