Mexican financial authorities have taken decisive action against Raúl Rocha Cantú, co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization, freezing his bank accounts as part of an extensive investigation into alleged criminal operations. The Financial Intelligence Unit of Mexico confirmed the asset seizure connected to probes into drug, weapons, and fuel trafficking networks.
Rocha Cantú, whose Legacy Holding Group USA maintains 50% ownership of the prestigious pageant organization, has been under scrutiny since late 2024 for suspected organized crime activities. Federal judicial authorities have issued thirteen arrest warrants in the unfolding case, including one specifically targeting Rocha Cantú, who stands accused of leading a fuel smuggling operation along the Usumacinta River bordering Guatemala and Mexico.
This development represents the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the Miss Universe brand. Just last week, Thai judicial authorities issued an arrest warrant for Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, the organization’s other co-owner, after she failed to appear in court for fraud proceedings. The most recent competition, which crowned Mexico’s Fatima Bosch as winner, also faced serious allegations of result manipulation.
The scandal has drawn attention to political connections, with Belize’s Prime Minister John Briceño confirming through an official statement that he participated in a governmental meeting with Rocha Cantú in 2024 to discuss trade and investment opportunities. The Prime Minister’s office emphasized that such meetings constitute standard diplomatic practice.
Separately, Southern Deep Port Development Ltd (SDPDL), a Belizean company planning the redevelopment of Commerce Bight Port, has publicly distanced itself from Rocha Cantú’s Legacy Holding Group. The firm issued a statement clarifying that while preliminary discussions occurred earlier this year, all negotiations concluded in September without agreement, and no formal relationship ever existed between the entities. The company additionally noted that Rocha’s organization had published unauthorized information regarding a port project in Dangriga.