Mexico Dismantles Four Illegal Oil Refineries, Seizes 1 Million Liters of Fuel

Mexican authorities have dismantled four illegal oil refineries and confiscated roughly one million liters—equivalent to 6,300 barrels—of petroleum derivatives.

The federal prosecution’s findings

The Mexican Federal Attorney General’s Office confirmed that the dismantled facilities were “illegal fuel processing centers,” with operations halted on Tuesday. Prosecutors described the action as revealing a new phase in illicit fuel trade.

Locations and detection indicators

The illegal installations were situated in the central states of San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, and Morelos. Authorities identified the sites based on persistent truck traffic entering and exiting the premises; some vehicles emitted fuel odors or carried industrial piping.

Historical context and financial impact

In 2019, an explosion at a clandestine fuel-siphoning site linked to Pemex infrastructure in Hidalgo killed 137 people. According to official figures, fuel smuggling cost Pemex approximately $530 million during the first half of 2026—a 20 percent increase over the same period last year.