Juárez Fuel Network: Three Properties Seized, LPE Transportes Under Scrutiny
An investigation sparked by the discovery of a clandestine hydrocarbon tap in Ciudad Juárez has led to the seizure of three properties. Authorities are now working to establish the potential operation of a network dedicated to the illegal storage and distribution of diesel. Among the elements under investigation is LPE Transportes, a company specializing in personnel transportation. However, no judicial resolution has yet determined the company’s involvement in any crime.
What Did Authorities Find?
One of the secured properties is located opposite Riberas del Bravo, at the intersection of Puerto de Dunquerque and Hermenegildo Luna, and remains under the guard of the State Police and the Mexican Army. Reports published on July 23, 2026, indicated that buses used for personnel transport were found at this site, along with structures that appeared to have been used for fuel dispensing. These elements are part of the evidence that authorities will review to determine their connection to the investigation.
The investigation follows the discovery of a clandestine tap in the El Sauzal area. Subsequent seizures were made at other locations to determine if a connection exists between the properties and to establish the possible route of the hydrocarbons. Journalistic accounts suggest an operation capable of moving hundreds of thousands of liters of fuel annually. However, the volume and destination of the diesel still require official documentation and evidence from the investigation file.
The Origin of the Fuel: A Key Element
One of the key aspects authorities must clarify is how the fuel was acquired, stored, transported, and distributed. To determine this route, a review of tax documents, purchase records, financial movements, vehicle logs, permits, and other elements will be necessary to establish the diesel’s traceability. The mere presence of hydrocarbon handling infrastructure does not, by itself, determine who used it or for what purpose.
Another piece of information in the context of the investigation is the growth of LPE Transportes’ fleet. In August 2025, the company acquired 28 2026 International Zafiro GT buses, equipped with heating, air conditioning, and WiFi. While this expansion reflects an increase in the company’s operational capacity, it does not confirm that the funds used for the purchase had an illicit origin. Establishing this would require a financial review that has not yet been publicly accredited.
The cost of fuel is also a factor in the sector. Diesel represents one of the main expenses for transport companies, and during 2026, operators in Ciudad Juárez reported cost pressures due to rising fuel prices. This situation could explain the economic incentive for any operator to use illegally sourced fuel, but it does not constitute evidence that LPE Transportes engaged in such practices. To establish a connection, the origin and destination of the fuel used by its units would need to be proven.
Who is Linked to the Investigation?
Versions circulated about the case also mention Jorge Ortega Trejo, known as “El Contador,” and Eduardo Ortega Ramírez, who are cited for possible links to the alleged network. As of the cutoff date, there is no official information confirming an indictment, arrest warrant, or conviction against them. Therefore, these mentions are part of an investigative line and do not constitute a determination of responsibility.
The investigation must establish, based on evidence, if there is any relationship between LPE Transportes, the three seized properties, and the alleged illegal fuel network, as well as determine the origin of the hydrocarbons and the resources involved. For now, the seizures confirm an ongoing investigation but do not attribute criminal responsibility to the company or the individuals mentioned. Any conclusions must stem from the evidence gathered and the determinations of the competent authorities.
