Santa Catarina, Nuevo León — Federal officials have discovered a tunnel connected to a Pemex pipeline at its own facilities. The tunnel was found equipped with ladders and extraction equipment used to steal fuel.
The discovery of the huachicol tunnel was made by agents from the Criminal Investigation Agency of the federal government (FGR) earlier this week.
The underground tunnel was located at the Pemex Storage and Dispatch Terminal (TAD) facilities in Santa Catarina, Nuevo León May 10. The entrance in the centre of a yard and was hidden by a metal dome cover that was surrounded by parked vehicles.
The tunnel connected to an 18-inch pipeline belonging to Pemex. Authorities found that it was dug to connect to an adjacent property located on an old road.
Inside the tunnel, authorities also found a common area equipped with table and chairs, food and a foosball table.
In a statement, the FGR said “federal authorities went to the property in question, where they carried out a search warrant, in which it was confirmed that the tunnel connected the property to Pemex’s 18-inch pipeline.
“Inside the excavation, equipment used for the illicit extraction of hydrocarbons was found, including a nipple welded to the pipeline, a quick-closing valve, a threading tool, and a high-pressure hose.
“During the operation, it was confirmed that the property had been used for hydrocarbon storage activities, as it had offices, common areas, tractor-trailers, tank trucks and various containers, which were secured.”
At the site, authorities seized 205,418 liters of hydrocarbons, 23 tractor-trailer trucks, 10 tank trucks, a crane, seven vans and three cars.
They also seized a maritime metal container, a cubic tank, a drum, two jerrycans, sandbags, construction tools, various documents, and a cell phone.
Authorities have not said how long they believe the tunnel has been in operation or how many liters of fuel have been stolen.
