Later, they sell it at cheaper prices to drivers, in a black market that is described by some as a kind of ‘Robin Hood’ movement, a character who took from the rich, to give to the poor. But not everyone agrees.
“There’s no Robin Hood in this,” Jeff Lenard, the vice president of strategic innovations at the National Association of Convenience Stores, where gas stations tend to be, told the channel. foxnews.
“These are thieves and the owner of the gas station is the least responsible for the high prices,” he added.
The ‘huachicoleros’ use special devices to pump gasoline and also carry out cyber attacks to modify the information of the service station systems.
“They gain access to the pump and override the system, either physically or electronically, and reset the prices to be extremely low or keep the transaction open where multiple people happen to ship under one account,” he explained. Jeff Lenard to foxnews.
And at least 25% of gasoline retailers have seen an increase in physical gasoline thefts, compared to last year, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration.
In May, wholesale gasoline prices rebounded 8.4% after falling 3.0% in April, accounting for 40% of the rise in goods costs. Jet fuel rose 12% after soaring 14.8% in April. The costs of residential natural gas, steel products and diesel also increased, according to a report by Reuters.
All this in the middle of the highest inflation in 40 years in the United States and when there are service stations where a gallon of gasoline is sold for up to 8 dollars, equivalent to approximately 42 Mexican pesos.