Corruption network identified that “financed” blockade at the Port of Manzanillo

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Federal authorities uncovered a corruption network at the Port of Manzanillo that financed the blockade and paralysis of the country’s second-largest customs office for nearly a week, following the dismissal of officials investigated for facilitating the entry of illegal goods that evaded paying taxes to the Treasury.

Authorities are also investigating customs agents for their participation in the protests that blocked the entrance to the federal compound.

The dissatisfied workers denied involvement in corruption.

The protest, organized after the dismissal of five employees for alleged irregularities, ended in an operation that resulted in the arrest of several people.

Federal and state authorities in Colima dismantled a blockade early Friday morning that had blocked access to the Port of Manzanillo since last Monday.

Federal investigations indicate that the blockade was instigated by corrupt customs agents who allegedly gave money to protesters to intervene in the conflict.

Images emerged of people arriving in luxury SUVs and handing cash to workers allegedly dissatisfied with customs authorities. There are photographs of a man in a white shirt and black cap caught handing cash to those blocking access to the port.

The workers dismissed for alleged irregularities and acts of corruption in their positions are: Jorge Elizalde Francés, Deputy Director of Customs Operations; Joaquín López Jiménez, Head of Surveillance and Control; Susana López Mendoza, Head of the Operations Department; as well as Juan Mizael Barriga and Edgar Rodríguez Ávila.

Authorities detected at least 80 irregularities in port operations, including facilitating the entry of illegal products into Mexico by evading taxes.

According to the investigation, the mobilizations were orchestrated by Omar Orlando Chávez, who allegedly coordinated individuals outside the port to join the blockade.

The dissatisfied workers denied involvement in acts of corruption and argued that the protests arose in response to acts of workplace harassment, denouncing workdays of up to 18 hours a day that violated their labor rights.

Eviction of the blockade

The blockade was removed through a joint operation between federal and state authorities, resulting in the removal of protesters and the arrest of several individuals involved in the corruption network that was mobilized after irregularities were discovered in their operations.

The Attorney General’s Office has confirmed that investigations will continue to identify more individuals implicated in acts of corruption within the port.

Federal authorities have strengthened controls at the Port of Manzanillo to prevent similar situations from recurring, ensuring the safe flow of goods and transparency in operations.

Source: milenio