Miss Universe Co-Owner Raúl Rocha Cantú Charged in Mexico With Drug, Fuel and Weapons Trafficking

Mexican businessman Rocha Cantú, one of the major financial stakeholders in the Miss Universe Organization, has been formally charged by federal authorities in Mexico on accusations that include drug trafficking, illicit fuel distribution, weapons smuggling, and participation in organized criminal activity.

Prosecutors confirmed this week to the Mexican press that Rocha Cantú is facing multiple counts tied to what investigators describe as a complex, multinational criminal network allegedly operating for years under the guise of legitimate business structures.

Court documents outline a detailed operation involving the illegal purchase and transport of fuel from Guatemala into Mexico, where it was allegedly altered to disguise its origin and avoid regulatory detection. Investigators say the modified fuel was then sold through front companies tied to Rocha Cantú. Additional evidence presented before authorities also includes allegations that the same network was involved in obtaining firearms and funneling them toward criminal groups operating in several Mexican states.

Officials confirmed that Rocha Cantú recently entered a witness-cooperation arrangement shortly after a warrant for his arrest was issued. Although authorities have not disclosed details of the agreement, legal analysts suggest his decision could signal the possibility of reduced penalties in exchange for testimony implicating additional participants.

The accusations arrive at a tense moment for the Miss Universe Organization, which Rocha Cantú partially owns through a corporate investment structure. The pageant has been at the center of controversy in recent months, facing accusations of rigged judging, financial instability, resignations inside its leadership, and public criticism from former participants and national directors.

This year's Miss Universe competition in Bangkok drew criticism after judges resigned publicly, alleging interference in the selection of Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch as the 2025 Miss Universe winner.

Several contestants staged quiet protests backstage, and social-media footage triggered discussions about transparency, ethics and corporate governance inside the pageant. The leadership shake-up included a sudden change of chief executive only days before the pageant commenced, prompting questions about internal power struggles and financial management.

Observers note that this latest legal development may intensify scrutiny over the organization, its investors, its financial operations and its long-term credibility. So far, neither the Miss Universe Organization nor Rocha Cantú's representatives have issued a formal public statement regarding the charges.

For longtime fans and industry insiders, the timing of the legal case adds another layer to an already fragile reputation. While the Miss Universe brand has endured scandals in the past, including dethronements and accusations of favoritism, this situation reaches a different dimension by connecting one of its primary owners to serious criminal allegations.