Mexico’s anti-money laundering unit has frozen the bank accounts of Raúl Rocha Cantú, the Mexican co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization, as authorities investigate alleged links to drug, fuel and arms trafficking, the Associated Press reported.
The country’s Financial Intelligence Unit, which leads Mexico’s fight against money laundering, ordered the freeze on Rocha Cantú’s accounts in Mexico, a federal official told AP on condition of anonymity, citing a lack of authorization to speak publicly about the case.
Federal prosecutors say Rocha Cantú has been under investigation since November 2024 for suspected organized-crime activity, including trafficking in drugs and weapons as well as fuel theft. Last month, a federal judge issued 13 arrest warrants for people allegedly involved in the scheme, among them Rocha Cantú, whose firm Legacy Holding Group USA owns 50% of Miss Universe.
The remaining half of the pageant organization is owned by Thailand-based JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., controlled by businesswoman Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, the news outlet said.
A Thai court last week issued an arrest warrant for Jakrajutatip after she failed to appear for a November 25 court date in a fraud case for which she had previously been released on bail. Because she did not inform the court of her absence, she was deemed a flight risk and her hearing was rescheduled for December 26, according to the report.
Rocha Cantú has long been a controversial figure in Mexico. He was part owner of the Casino Royale in Monterrey when gunmen attacked the gambling hall in 2011, pouring gasoline and setting it ablaze, killing 52 people. Baltazar Saucedo Estrada, accused of planning the attack, was sentenced in July to 135 years in prison, AP said.
Read more at the Associated Press