From Tacos to Trafficking? Mexican Official’s Meteoric Rise⁣ Under Scrutiny

TAMPICO, Mexico – francisco Javier Antonio Martínez, now a ⁤high-ranking finance⁣ official at Asipona Tampico, is under inquiry for alleged involvement in ⁢illegal fuel trafficking, according⁤ to sources familiar⁤ with the matter.‍ His career trajectory, ⁣marked by a shift from owning a taquería to amassing a⁣ collection of classic cars and luxury motorcycles,⁤ has raised ⁣eyebrows.

Rapid Ascent and Rising Income

Martínez joined Mexico’s Tax Administration System (SAT) in 2013, quickly ascending through the ranks.He held positions such as head of the Department⁢ of the General Evaluation Administration ⁤and administrator of customs projects before becoming administrator of‍ Customs of⁣ Matamoros in July 2017, a post he held until February 2018. after⁢ a brief return to SAT,his financial disclosures began to reflect a significant increase in income.

In his 2020 statement, presented mid-year, Martínez declared monthly income from a taquería and a mechanical ⁤workshop, along with two vehicles. This was a departure from previous years, where he had not reported any assets. The document stated 2019 revenues of 360,000 ⁣pesos from the taquería and 480,000 pesos from the workshop.

Taquería and Workshop: Sources of Wealth?

The taquería, named “Tacquiao,” was⁣ registered with the Mexican Institute of⁣ Industrial Property (IMPI) in october 2019. It operates a small branch with plastic tables in Chimalhuacán, State of⁣ Mexico, and previously had a taco stand in Mexico City. By 2021,Martínez reported 2020⁣ revenues of 1.8 million pesos for both businesses. He concluded his role as⁤ Head of the Department of Supervised Enclosures at the national Customs Agency of Mexico in March 2022, and in March 2024,⁣ assumed his current position ⁣at Asipona Tampico.

His⁣ most recent⁢ statement indicates a monthly income of 500,000 pesos from the taquería (now with two⁣ locations) and the workshop, a substantial increase ⁤from the 840,000 pesos he declared annually in 2020.⁢ A visit to the Chimalhuacán taquería ⁢revealed⁢ a modest establishment with intermittent operation, according to local residents. The Mexico City stand has been closed for‍ about a month and ⁣lacks a business name.

Classic Cars and Complicities

Martínez ‍also declared ownership of 18 vehicles, including a ⁢dozen ⁣classic cars, two luxury⁤ trucks,⁢ and two Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The classic cars, ⁣ranging from a 1946 Chevrolet Fleetline to a 1979 Camaro, where acquired between 2022 and 2023 for up to 900,000 ⁤pesos each,‍ purchased with cash.He currently earns a net monthly salary of 51,361.20 pesos as head of Administration and⁣ Finance Management of the asipona Tampico, according to payroll information ⁢as of march 31.

investigation‍ into Fuel ⁢Trafficking

Sources ‍allege that Martínez⁢ is⁤ being investigated as part of⁢ a network involved in illegal fuel trafficking through ⁢the port of Tampico. The network allegedly⁤ includes former federal officials, ASIPONA personnel, and ⁣individuals managing public terminal docks where ships carrying “huachicol” (illegally obtained fuel) arrive. These activities are reportedly conducted under⁢ the protection of the Secretariat of the navy, which oversees port controls.

Rear Adm.⁤ Rubén Alfonso Vargas Suárez became ⁢General Director of asipona de Tampico on Jan. 17, 2025, replacing Vice⁣ Adm. Salvador Camargo Vivero, who had⁤ held the position since ⁤March 2024. The investigation⁤ focuses on how these vessels are allowed⁣ to dock at the Tamaulipas port. The alleged scheme involves clandestinely transferring fuel, frequently enough disguised as oil or ⁤other additives, from ships arriving from the united States to pipelines for⁢ distribution within Mexico.