Sócrates Herrera, former Pemex security head, arrested for fuel theft

On Thursday , the Mexico Attorney General’s Office (FGR) said it had arrested a retired general who was responsible for security at the state oil company Pemex during the previous administration for allegations of organized crime and fuel theft, or “ huachicoleo ” as it is popularly called.

The office said in a statement that it had apprehended “ Sócrates H ,” whom a government source said is Brigadier General Sócrates Alfredo Herrera Pegueros . Herrera could not immediately be reached for comment.

Herrera is one of the 20 officers accused of organized crime and fuel theft. As of now, the FGR has arrested five military men involved in the case.

Herrera was under the command of General Eduardo León Trauwitz , who led a strategic security unit for Pemex and has also been accused of fuel theft . León could not immediately be reached for comment either.

Herrera was arrested in the southwestern state of Guerrero and transferred to the Almoloya prison in the central state of Mexico , which surrounds the capital. The FGR did not specify when the arrest took place.

The office has also targeted the former CEO of Pemex Emilio Lozoya in a graft case involving Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht .

Earlier this month, the office said a judge issued arrest warrants for Lozoya, three of his family members and one other person.

AMLO: Pemex workers were directly involved in fuel theft network

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