Federal authorities arrested Ernesto Ruffo Appel, the former governor of Baja California, this Thursday in the municipality of Ensenada. According to the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR), the arrest stems from a complex investigation into large-scale fuel smuggling operations linked to a company owned by the former official.
Legal Charges and Federal Investigation
The FGR obtained an arrest warrant from a federal judge, charging the former governor with organized crime and smuggling. Elements of the Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC) carried out the apprehension following an investigation into the company Ingemar, S.A. de C.V. This firm, which counts Ruffo Appel among its partners, was previously identified by federal officials for its role in transporting and storing fuel via rail tankers.
On July 22, 2025, SSPC head Omar García Harfuch publicly confirmed the probe into Ingemar. The investigation is part of a broader federal effort targeting a network of four companies, including Lambrucar, Belar Fuels, and Industriales Fundentes, which allegedly coordinated to move illegal fuel through customs and store it using specialized infrastructure.
Did You Know?
In July 2025, authorities seized more than 15 million liters of illegal fuel in Coahuila. The shipment was found in 129 rail tankers, an event described by Omar García Harfuch as a “historic” decomiso.
Context of the Fuel Smuggling Probe
Prior to his arrest, Ruffo Appel had denied any wrongdoing regarding his business interests. When questioned by the media about the allegations following the initial reports of the investigation, he stated, “Absolutely. I am here doing my business in the country, I am here in Mexico and ready, if they call me and cite me.”
The case is part of a significant crackdown on fuel smuggling at the national level. Reports from September 8 indicate that the Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México and the FGR have prepared more than 200 arrest warrants targeting customs agents, administrators, and operational staff across various border facilities. These warrants are focused on the illegal importation and handling of fuel products.
The involvement of multiple companies and customs personnel underscores the complexity of these supply chains.
Potential Next Steps
Given the government’s stated intent to pursue over 200 warrants, further arrests of individuals affiliated with the targeted companies—such as José Merino Valdés Cuervo, Ricardo Thompson Ramírez, and Ricardo Thompson Navarro—remain a possibility as the investigation unfolds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Ernesto Ruffo Appel arrested?
The FGR arrested the former governor for his alleged involvement in organized crime and the smuggling of fuel through a company he partially owns, Ingemar, S.A. de C.V.
What was the role of Ingemar, S.A. de C.V. in this case?
According to the SSPC, the company was involved in a network that used rail tankers to store and transport fuel illegally through customs.
How many other individuals are targeted by the FGR in this smuggling investigation?
The FGR and the Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México have prepared more than 200 requests for arrest warrants against customs agents, administrators, and operational personnel involved in fuel smuggling.
How will these high-profile arrests affect the ongoing federal oversight of customs operations in Mexico?
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