Hialeah (33010) Fuel Fraud Exposed: Two Men Busted in Miami-Dade Tanker Scheme – INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

Hialeah (33010) – A high-stakes fuel fraud operation has been uncovered in Miami-Dade County, where two men now face felony charges for allegedly running an illegal tanker scheme that siphoned thousands of gallons of diesel from local fuel stations. The suspects—identified as Juan Carlos Mendez, 43, and Alberto Rojas, 39—were arrested Wednesday after a months-long joint investigation involving the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Authorities say the men retrofitted a box truck with hidden fuel tanks, industrial pumps, and false walls to conceal their illegal activities. Surveillance video and undercover operations revealed that the suspects made repeated stops at gas stations throughout Hialeah, Sweetwater, and West Kendall, filling the truck with commercial-grade diesel before disappearing for hours at a time.

Key Facts

• BREAKING: Two men arrested for operating illegal fuel tank scheme in Miami-Dade

• IMPACT: Over 10,000 gallons stolen; $50K+ in diesel diverted to black market

• OFFICIAL SOURCE: “This was a ticking time bomb on wheels,” – Lt. Valerie Puig, MDPD

• ACTION: Gas station owners advised to inspect pumps and report tampering immediately

Officials estimate the scheme resulted in more than 10,000 gallons of fuel being stolen over three months—valued at over $50,000 based on current diesel prices. Investigators believe the fuel was then sold on the black market to unlicensed construction outfits and trucking companies at a discounted rate.

“This wasn’t a petty theft—this was organized, calculated, and dangerous,” said Miami-Dade Police spokesperson Lt. Valerie Puig. “These trucks are a fire hazard and a public safety risk.”

The investigation was launched after multiple station owners filed complaints about fuel discrepancies and suspected tampering. Both men now face charges of grand theft, fraudulent use of fuel, and possession of unregistered fuel tanks, with additional federal charges possible.

Impact Of Local News

1. Precise Location:
   Hialeah (33010) – Surveillance captured activity at Chevron station on W 49th St and W 12th Ave

2. Community Connection:
   “We noticed our inventory didn’t match receipts—it made no sense until now.”
   – Luis Prado, manager at GasPlus Express in Sweetwater

Exclusive Angle

This case is part of a growing statewide trend of fuel fraud rings, which have surged in recent years due to rising diesel costs and limited commercial supply. According to a Florida Department of Agriculture report, fuel thefts have increased 62% statewide since 2022, with Miami-Dade leading in organized schemes involving mobile tanks.

Internal records obtained show that the truck used by Mendez and Rojas had been modified with four 275-gallon tanks hidden behind false storage compartments. The pumping system included a siphoning device controlled via smartphone app—allowing for fast extraction without detection.

Update Log

• 8:30 AM: Mendez and Rojas arrested by Miami-Dade Organized Theft Unit

• 11:00 AM: Modified truck seized, currently under forensic examination

• 2:45 PM: FDACS confirms charges may include federal fuel transport violations