Profeco and ASEA Launch Operation: Gas Stations Shuttered for Irregularities

Quintana Roo, Mexico — As part of an Extraordinary Verification Operation, the Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor (Profeco) and the Agencia de Seguridad, Energía y Ambiente (ASEA) conducted inspections on October 16 and 17 at 12 gas stations across Quintana Roo. The operation uncovered various irregularities that resulted in multiple temporary closures, immobilisation of measurement equipment, and complaints filed with the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR).

The inspection brigades, headed by Profeco chief Iván Escalante Ruiz, visited service stations in the municipalities of Tulum, Solidaridad (Playa del Carmen area) and Benito Juárez (Cancún). The initiative is part of the national “Strategy to Promote Gasoline Price Stabilization” led by Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s administration.

Stations found not selling full-liters

During the supervision, Profeco immobilized 20 measurement instruments and detected stations that were dispensing less than the full liter. In one of the cases, a station delivered 835.72 millilitres fewer for every 20 litres of regular gasoline; in another, the shortage reached 1,212.19 millilitres fewer per 20 litres. These discrepancies triggered formal complaints with the FGR.

In addition to under-dispensing fuel, inspectors found other faults: some stations failed to retain or display required information following power interruptions; others showed discrepancies between the electronic dispatch records and manual logbooks.

Environmental and other regulatory breaches

ASEA imposed eight temporary total closures of gas stations for failure to exhibit a valid Single Environmental Licence (Licencia Ambiental Única, LAU) or valid environmental impact resolutions. Two stations refused to permit the inspection, for which administrative sanction procedures will be initiated.

According to the published account, though 12 stations were targeted, two stations declined inspection and the remaining ten were closed for violations.

Broader context

This inspection is part of a wider effort by Profeco and ASEA to enforce compliance in fuel retailing. For example, as of March 2025 Profeco reported that ~68.8% of participating gas stations nationwide had adjusted regular-gasoline prices below a government-agreed ceiling of 24 pesos/litre. Meanwhile, ASEA has ramped up mobile-lab inspections of service stations, applying new traceability, emissions and safety standards under reforms announced in 2025.

What this means for consumers and the region

• For motorists in Quintana Roo (especially in high-tourism zones such as Cancún, Tulum and Playa), the inspections signal heightened regulatory oversight—both of pricing and quantity-accuracy.

• Any station found under-dispensing fuel or lacking required environmental permits faces closure, equipment immobilisation and criminal referral to the FGR.

• Travellers and locals alike are advised to look for clear price tags, full-litre dispensing, up-to-date licence displays and digital/electronic records that match printed logbooks.