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The country’s Financial Intelligence Unit, which oversees the
fight against money laundering, froze Mexican businessman Raúl
Rocha Cantú’s bank accounts in Mexico, a federal official told
The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was
not authorized to comment on the investigation.
The action against Rocha Cantú adds to mounting controversies
for the Miss Universe organization. Last week, a court in
Thailand issued an arrest warrant for the Thai co-owner of the
Miss Universe Organization in connection with a fraud case and
this year's competition — won by Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch —
faced allegations of rigging.
The Miss Universe organization did not immediately respond to an
email from The Associated Press seeking comment about the
allegations against Rocha Cantú.
Mexico's federal prosecutors said last week that Rocha Cantú has
been under investigation since November 2024 for alleged
organized crime activity, including drug and arms trafficking,
as well as fuel theft. Last month, a federal judge issued 13
arrest warrants for some of those involved in the case,
including the Mexican businessman, whose company Legacy Holding
Group USA owns 50% of the Miss Universe shares.
The organization's other 50% belongs to JKN Global Group Public
Co. Ltd., a company owned by Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip.
A Thai court last week issued an arrest warrant for Jakrajutatip
who was released on bail in 2023 on the fraud case. She failed
to appear as required in a Bangkok court on Nov. 25. Since she
did not notify the court about her absence, she was deemed to be
a flight risk, according to a statement from the Bangkok South
District Court.
The court rescheduled her hearing for Dec. 26.
Rocha Cantú was also a part owner of the Casino Royale in the
northern Mexican city of Monterrey, when it was attacked in 2011
by a group of gunmen who entered it, doused gasoline and set it
on fire, killing 52 people.
Baltazar Saucedo Estrada, who was charged with planning the
attack, was sentenced in July to 135 years in prison.
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