Mexico investigates the owner of Miss Universe for alleged links to organized crime

Mexico City.- The Attorney General's Office of the Republic (FGR) of Mexico confirmed this Wednesday that it is investigating Raúl Rocha Cantú, owner of the Miss Universe brand, as part of a case of alleged links to organized crime, particularly for drug trafficking, huachicol (fuel smuggling) and arms trafficking. In a statement, the Attorney General's Office (FGR) pointed out that since November 29, 2024, investigation file 928/2024 was opened against 13 people "for organized crime, in relation to drug trafficking, fuel theft, and arms trafficking". The FGR explained that the case is a consequence of "an investigation carried out by the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection federal", from which sufficient information was obtained to formalize the process. He also added that in said folder, ten days ago a federal judge granted the arrest warrants against 13 people about whom, for obvious reasons, secrecy must be maintained.

Among the accused, the Attorney General's Office (FGR) indicated, "an arrest warrant has just been executed against a federal official involved in said crimes".

You can also read: Regarding Rocha, the prosecution stated that the accusations made in recent days are being investigated.

"In the specific case of one of those mentioned, Raúl “R”, about whom there has been various public information, this Prosecutor's Office states that, in the corresponding procedure, fundamental data is being obtained that will allow the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) to continue and delve into this investigation," he pointed out.

Finally, the prosecution assured that Rocha's legal situation will be reported "as soon as the evidence is confirmed with complete certainty".

"As pending arrest warrants are fulfilled and public hearings are held before federal judges, the information can be shared with precision," he concluded.

The FGR report comes after this morning the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, asked the prosecutor's office to clearly inform whether there is an investigation or an arrest warrant against the owner of the Miss Universe brand, after the newspaper Reforma published that Rocha was charged by the authorities for his alleged responsibility in the trafficking of drugs, weapons and fuel between Guatemala and Mexico. According to the newspaper, Rocha Cantú is considered by the Prosecutor's Office as one of the leaders of a criminal organization dedicated to fuel smuggling that crosses by boat on the Usumacinta River and is transported in tanker trucks from Chiapas and Tabasco, in southern Mexico, to Querétaro, in the center. Sheinbaum emphasized that the possible legal process against Rocha should not be mixed with the recent participation of Fátima Bosch, the Mexican representative who won the Miss Universe 2025 title on November 21st, because —she assured— attempts have been made to link both issues to diminish the merit of the young woman's performance.