Cofece imposes fines of 437 million pesos on 52 gas stations for manipulating prices

The Federal Economic Competition Commission (Cofece) fined 52 gas stations, the Mexican Association of Gasoline Businessmen (Amegas) and 18 managers for a total of 437 million 911 thousand 146 pesos for manipulating prices.

In a statement, the antitrust body explained that those sanctioned conspired illegally and to the detriment of end consumers to manipulate the prices of regular and premium gasoline between 2014 and 2021.

He explained that 15 gas stations and two managers, with the assistance of Amegas, held a gas station forum where they agreed not to lower gasoline prices between 2014 and 2017, for which they received a fine of almost 28 million pesos. The sanctioned gas stations are part of Grupo Combustibles and the Colón gas station.

In addition, 13 gas stations from Grupo Megasur, Grupo Enerkom and Grupo Lodemo, along with three managers, were fined more than 315 million pesos for manipulating prices between March 2020 and June 2021. This behavior took place in Mérida, Yucatán.

Also 18 gas stations belonging to Grupo Casimiro, Grupo Hernie, Grupo Express-Bajío, Grupo Insurgentes, Grupo Presidentes, Arandas and Villas, located in Irapuato, Guanajuato, as well as six directors, were fined almost 70 million pesos for their illegal actions committed. between January and November 2018.

The Nandalumi and Iván Hugo Combustibles gas stations, located in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, in addition to 2 managers, received a fine of more than 12 million pesos for coordinating prices between January and December 2018.

The Casper and Centauro gas stations located in León, Guanajuato, in addition to two managers, were fined almost 4 million pesos for manipulating prices between January and August 2018. In addition, three gas stations that are part of Grupo Hidrocarburos Hidalgo y Grupo, located in Pachuca , Hidalgo, as well as three managers were fined more than 8 million pesos for carrying out these practices between January and October 2018.

Cofece will continue to use all its tools and powers to the maximum so that these behaviors do not go unpunished.he pointed out.