In Mexico, Pricier Gas Lures the Gangs

摘要

"How long will it take you to get here?" Panchito, a gasoline thief, shouts into his cell phone at a truck driver headed his way. "I've got 12 canisters filled with diesel just for you." "I'll be there in about an hour," replies the driver, known by his nickname, El Chile Verde. "I'm just leaving Mexico City now." Panchito sells stolen fuel from the side of a highway outside Mexico City. He declined to give his last name. He says demand for his services will only grow after the government raised fuel prices as much as 20 percent on New Year's Day-the most in almost two decades.