Miss Universe organization President and co-owner Raúl Rocha has been formally charged by Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office for allegedly leading an organized crime group involved in drug trafficking, war weapons, and fuel smuggling.
The Mexican Attorney General’s Office suspects Rocha of heading a criminal enterprise that operates between Guatemala and Mexico. Rocha is also a Guatemalan consular official in Mexico.
Mexican newspaper Reforma first reported the charges, detailing how the alleged organization smuggled fuel by boat via the Usumacinta River. The fuel was then reportedly transported by truck to Querétaro, Mexico.
An official from Mexico’s Special Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime, Yasmín Mayoral Marín, requested an arrest warrant for Rocha on August 6. The request cites charges of organized crime, drug trafficking, and firearms trafficking.
As part of the investigation, prosecutors raided several homes. They claim to have seized records of Rocha’s donations to the criminal organization, including one contribution totaling approximately $123,500 USD (2.1 million Mexican pesos).
The arrest warrant obtained by Reforma alleges that members of the crime group had connections with politicians and government officials at all three levels. These connections purportedly allowed them to intentionally carry out their missions, including the sale of fuel, drugs, and large-scale war weapon smuggling.
Reforma also cited federal government sources indicating that Rocha contacted the Attorney General’s Office in October. He reportedly sought to negotiate a plea bargain for immunity from prosecution.
Neither Rocha nor representatives for the Miss Universe organization have issued public comments regarding the charges.
These severe criminal allegations surface amidst a period of significant controversy for the Miss Universe pageant, both before and after its November final.
On November 4, several contestants walked out of a pre-event. This followed public criticism from pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil towards Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch, who later won the title, for declining a social media photo shoot. Rocha subsequently disciplined Itsaragrisil, restricting his attendance at the final pageant.
Three days before the final competition, Oumar Harfouch resigned from the judging panel. He alleged via social media that the Miss Universe organization had established a “provisional committee” to pre-select 30 finalists.
Harfouch further claimed that one contestant had a relationship with a committee member. He stated his resignation came after Rocha rejected his plea for “transparency.”
The Miss Universe organization denied Harfouch’s accusations.
In a November 24 interview with Mexican journalists discussing the pageant’s situation, Rocha admitted he was “very bored” after acquiring the organization in January 2024. He indicated at the time that he was “looking for someone to transfer the business to.”