Mexican Casino and Miss Universe Executive Faces Cartel Allegations

Raúl Rocha Cantú Under Investigation by Mexican Authorities

Raúl Rocha Cantú, a prominent Mexican entrepreneur involved in the casino industry and co-owner of the Miss Universe pageant, is currently wanted in Mexico over accusations of participating in a trafficking network. This criminal group is alleged to be involved in smuggling fuel, weapons, and narcotics with ties to cartel organizations.

Details of the Charges and Alleged Criminal Activities

The Fiscalía General de la República (FGR), Mexico’s federal prosecutor’s office, has identified Rocha as a key figure in an operation that smuggled contraband across the Guatemala-Mexico border. Prosecutors claim that he integrated the proceeds from these illegal activities into his legitimate business ventures. Investigations show that some of the illicit funds were even used to pay informants providing intelligence about the ongoing probe against him.

Evidence supporting the case includes recorded phone conversations and financial documents linking Rocha to the organization, which is reportedly connected to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the La Unión Tepito street gang based in Mexico City.

In January 2024, Rocha acquired a 50 percent ownership stake in the Miss Universe pageant. His latest public appearance was at the pageant held in Nonthaburi, Thailand, shortly before the accusations became public knowledge. Notably, the event itself has recently come under scrutiny by Thai authorities due to suspected links to the gambling industry, as Thailand continues to strengthen its anti-casino policies.

Connection to the 2011 Casino Royale Tragedy

Rocha previously owned Casino Royale in Monterrey, Mexico, which was the scene of a devastating cartel attack in 2011 that resulted in 52 fatalities. However, officials do not believe that this tragic event is linked to the current trafficking charges against him.

On August 25, 2011, armed members of the Los Zetas cartel besieged the Casino Royale, igniting fires after blocking exits with gasoline. Prior to the attack, the casino had been subjected to extortion demands, which Rocha refused to comply with. In the aftermath, Rocha fled to the United States citing personal safety concerns, evading questioning by local authorities.

Earlier this year, the mastermind behind the Casino Royale attack was sentenced to 135 years in prison by the Second Federal Criminal Court in Matamoros, with others connected to the massacre also receiving lengthy sentences. Since the incident, Rocha has lived between the United States and Guatemala, the latter of which had granted him honorary consul status—a title recently revoked by the Guatemalan government. His current location remains unknown.