illegal taps drilled into government pipelines.There were approximately 10,000 gallons (38,000 liters) of stolen fuel inside the poorly ventilated space, and hoses to move the fuel.
Ten suspects were arrested at the site, and 12 vehicles and drugs were seized.Photos of the tunnel showed that offerings of food and candles had been left recently to the Devil and "Santa Muerte," a female skeletal figure worshipped by petty criminals, drug traffickers and the poor.
Some believe that making offerings to Santa Muerte will protect them.READ MORE: Border Patrol seizes $900K in meth disguised as candy, foodPresident Andrés Manuel López Obrador has assigned thousands of troops to guard pipelines since he took office in December 2018, and has ordered fuel moved by tanker trucks in some areas to frustrate thieves who drill taps into pipelines.A small carboard box shrine to Santa Muerte is seen on November 01, 2022 in Tepito, Mexico.
People from across the city go to Tepito, the most notorious neighbourhood run by La Union Cartel, to celebrate Santa Muerte (saint of death).