The Attorney General's Office links "El Mono" Muñoz to a network of fuel theft schemes at gas stations in Mexico.

Juan Manuel Muñoz Luévano, better known as "El Mono Muñoz," is once again in the authorities' sights. The Attorney General's Office (FGR) included him in an investigation file targeting several gas stations for allegedly selling fuel illegally imported from the United States.

According to information published by the newspaper Reforma, The case involving him is related to the arrest of Vice Admiral Manuel Roberto Farías Laguna—nephew of the current head of the Navy, Rafael Ojeda Durán—along with nine sailors and customs officials. All are accused of facilitating the entry of 31 ships loaded with fiscal huachicol into the Altamira and Tampico customs offices over the past two years.

In an "alert" file titled "News on the commission of possible acts constituting crimes related to the Criminal Energy Market in the field of Hydrocarbons," the Muñoz case is mentioned. The document notes that, in 2012, the Coahuila businessman was identified as a liaison for "Los Zetas" in Europe. In addition, in Mexico, he obtained six contracts with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) in Coahuila for 8.9 million pesos for gasoline supplies and controlled a network of up to 29 service stations.

The report adds that he shared part of his operations with his son, Luis Javier Muñoz Ayup, with whom he founded two gas station companies. Muñoz Ayup also maintains a third company with businessman Garza Meló.

Among the stations targeted are the Mira Sierra Service Station, La Cruz Fuel Market, Fuyivara Service Station, and Servicio Parque V. Carranza SA de CV. The document also warns that Muñoz pleaded guilty in the United States to money laundering and cocaine distribution, which coincides with the modus operandi detected in his businesses in Mexico and could constitute crimes provided for in article 400-Bis of the Federal Penal Code.

The investigation intensified after his arrest on May 22 in Torreón, when a tanker containing allegedly illicit fuel was seized. However, two days later, he was released on parole by a supervisory judge.

Muñoz has attempted to disassociate himself, claiming that the fuel was purchased from the company Ingemar, which is accused of smuggling 15 million liters of hydrocarbons into Ramos Arizpe and Saltillo, a fact he was unaware of, according to his defense.