Mexico freezes Miss Universe co-owner's bank accounts during organized crime investigation

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Mexico’s anti-money laundering office has frozen the bank accounts of the Mexican co-owner of Miss Universe as part of an investigation into drugs, fuel and weapons trafficking, an official said Friday.

The country’s financial intelligence unit, which oversees the fight against money laundering, froze the bank accounts of Mexican businessman Raul Rocha Cantú. MexicoA federal official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on the investigation.

The action against Rocha Cantu has added to the controversy for the Miss Universe Organization. Last week, in a court Thailand An arrest warrant was issued for the Thai co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization in a fraud case, and this year’s pageant – won by Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch – was hit with rigging charges.

The Miss Universe Organization did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment about the allegations against Rocha Cantu.

Mexico’s federal prosecutors said last week that Rocha Cantu has been under investigation since November 2024 for alleged organized crime activity, including drug and weapons trafficking as well as fuel theft. Last month, a federal judge issued 13 arrest warrants for some of the people involved in the case, including a Mexican businessman whose company Legacy Holding Group USA owns 50% of Miss Universe shares.

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The other 50% of the organization is owned by JKN Global Group Public Company Limited, a company owned by Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakarjutatip.

A Thai court last week issued an arrest warrant for Jakarjutatip, who was released on bail in 2023 in the fraud case. She failed to attend as required bangkok According to a statement from the Bangkok South District Court, because he had not informed the court of his absence, he was considered a flight risk.

The court rescheduled his hearing for December 26.

Rocha Cantú was also a part owner of Casino Royale in the northern Mexican city. montereyWhen it was attacked in 2011 by a group of gunmen who entered it, poured gasoline and set it on fire, killing 52 people.

Baltazar Saucedo Estrada, who was accused of planning the attack, was sentenced in July to 135 years in prison.