La Paz Municipal Comptroller Pavel Castro Ríos announced that 130 administrative investigations are heading to court, with half of them linked to the illegal sale of alcohol licenses dating back more than a decade.
Castro Ríos said the corrupt permit scheme stretches as far back as 2012. At least eight public officials participated in what he described as an organized corruption network operating within city government. The current administration, he said, has dismantled the ring.
First Court Ruling Already Issued
One case has already produced a ruling from an administrative tribunal. The comptroller said additional sentences are pending as the remaining cases move through the system. The 130 investigations represent one of the largest anti-corruption pushes in recent La Paz municipal history.
Alcohol permits in Baja California Sur require municipal approval. Businesses selling beer, wine, or spirits must hold valid licenses issued by local authorities. The sale of these permits outside official channels created a black market that, according to Castro Ríos, operated for over a decade under the protection of city employees.
What the Probe Means for Local Businesses
For anyone who owns or operates a business in La Paz, the crackdown could affect the licensing landscape. Permits obtained through corrupt channels may face review or revocation. Business owners holding alcohol licenses acquired between 2012 and the present should verify their permits are properly registered with the municipality.
La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur, has a growing restaurant and bar scene catering to both locals and foreign residents. The city’s malecón area alone is home to dozens of establishments that require valid alcohol permits to operate. Any disruption in the licensing process could ripple through the hospitality sector.
An Entrenched Problem
The comptroller described the corruption as systematic, not a matter of isolated incidents. Eight officials working together over more than 10 years points to a deeply rooted operation within the permitting office. Castro Ríos credited the current municipal administration with identifying and breaking up the network.
The cases will be resolved in administrative tribunals rather than criminal courts. Administrative sanctions in Mexico can include fines, disqualification from public office, and orders to return illegally obtained funds. Criminal referrals remain possible if prosecutors determine the conduct warrants charges beyond administrative penalties.
This story was first reported by BCS Noticias.