Miss Universe Co‑Owner Raúl Rocha’s Bank Accounts Frozen Amid Probe Into Alleged Drug, Arms and Fuel Trafficking

Mexican Authorities Freeze Accounts Linked to Miss Universe Co‑Owner

Update: Mexican authorities have frozen the bank accounts of Raúl Rocha, president and co‑owner of the Miss Universe Organization, as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into alleged trafficking of drugs, weapons and fuel, the Associated Press reported on Dec. 5.

Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit — the country’s anti‑money‑laundering agency — ordered the freezes while federal prosecutors investigate claims that Rocha and associates were involved in cross‑border criminal activity. The AP cited a federal official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the probe remains active.

According to Mexico’s federal prosecutors, Rocha has been under investigation since November 2024 on suspicions of organized‑crime activity, including fuel theft, drug trafficking and arms trafficking. Earlier this month, a judge issued arrest warrants for Rocha and 12 other people linked to the case.

Prosecutors and reporting in Mexican newspaper Reforma say the alleged network operated between Guatemala and Mexico and maintained connections with public officials at multiple levels of government to facilitate the sale of hydrocarbons, narcotics and large quantities of weapons. Reforma published an arrest warrant in which prosecutors made these allegations; the investigation is ongoing and the claims have not been proven in court.

Rocha has not publicly commented, and representatives of the Miss Universe Organization did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Ownership And Related Developments

Rocha’s company, Legacy Holding Group USA, holds a 50 percent stake in the Miss Universe Organization. The remaining shares are owned by JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., controlled by Thai media executive Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip.

A separate arrest warrant has reportedly been issued for Jakrajutatip after she failed to appear in court; Bangkok court officials deemed her a flight risk, according to the AP.

Context: Pageant Controversy

News of the account freezes and charges surfaced soon after the Miss Universe 2025 pageant — in which Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch was crowned on Nov. 21 — drew controversy. Reports from the event described a heated confrontation between a contestant and a pageant executive, the late withdrawal of several judges and allegations of scoring misconduct.

Note: These are allegations under active investigation by Mexican authorities. No guilt has been established in court.

Investigations by Mexican authorities continue as prosecutors pursue leads tied to the alleged trafficking network.