107 Fuel Tankers, 2 Aircraft, 500,000 Liters Seized: Mexico Arrests ‘El Bebo,’ Alleged Money Man for the Gulf Cartel’s Los Metros
Mexican forces have arrested Jesús Manuel “N,” alias “El Bebo,” whom the federal Security Cabinet identifies as a financial operator of Los Metros, a faction of the Gulf Cartel (Cártel del Golfo). According to reports published Sept. 27, 2026, by El Universal, Milenio and Infobae, the arrest came during 19 search operations across Chihuahua, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas. Authorities seized 107 fuel tanker trailers, two aircraft and roughly 500,000 liters of fuel.
Accused of running a fuel-smuggling network
El Universal reported Sept. 27, citing the Security Cabinet and the Defense Ministry, that investigators link “Bebo” to a network smuggling hydrocarbons “from abroad” to evade taxes. In Mexico this kind of scheme is known as huachicol fiscal. The officials did not say which country the fuel came from.
According to the same report, “Bebo” worked directly under César “N,” alias “Primito,” whom authorities describe as the head of Los Metros. The faction operates in Nuevo León and Tamaulipas.
Army Special Forces, the National Guard and the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) carried out the operation. Two other people were detained, but the outlets did not name them. Milenio reported that “Bebo” was wanted on a federal arrest warrant for organized crime in the form of operations with illicit proceeds, the charge Mexico uses for money laundering.
What was seized
El Universal and Milenio listed the following items as secured:
- 13 properties and four fixed storage tanks for fuel
- 107 tanker trailers, 84 tractor-trucks and 49 garbage trucks
- 50 other vehicles, seven motorcycles and two aircraft
- 11 fuel pumps and about 500,000 liters of fuel
- Methamphetamine (1 kilo per El Universal; 1.3 kilos per Milenio), 219 rounds of ammunition and an unspecified amount of cash
None of the reports said where in the three states “Bebo” was arrested.
Allegations, not findings
The descriptions of “Bebo’s” role and his ties to “Primito” come from Mexican officials. No court has ruled on them, and “Bebo” is presumed innocent. The Security Cabinet did not publish his full surname, which is standard practice in Mexico.
Sources
- El Universal, Sept. 27, 2026
- Milenio, Sept. 27, 2026
- Infobae, Sept. 27, 2026
- Photos: Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional and Gabinete de Seguridad (Mexican federal government images, Libre Uso MX), via El Universal
Reported Sept. 27, 2026, from Mexican media accounts of a Security Cabinet announcement made that day. Officials did not say where the arrest took place, where the fuel came from, or who the other two detainees are.