Polanco, CDMX – A senior official with Mexican customs is facing intense scrutiny after revelations that he purchased a luxury penthouse in one of Mexico City’s most expensive neighborhoods at a suspiciously low price.
Alex Tonatiuh Márquez, who works as a regional director within the customs agency, allegedly acquired a three-level penthouse in the Polanco neighborhood for just 7.7 million pesos—a figure that experts say is well below the property’s actual market value.
Comparable properties in the same area typically sell for 22 to 25 million pesos, raising red flags about how the transaction was conducted and whether it reflects improper influence or favoritism within public institutions.
Lavish lifestyle draws renewed attention
Márquez had already earned the nickname “Lord Relojes” on social media due to his collection of high-end watches, often visible in public appearances and Instagram posts.
Now, the penthouse purchase has put him back in the spotlight—this time with potential legal consequences.
The three-story unit, located in one of the most sought-after sectors of Polanco, features private terraces, marble flooring, and designer finishes. Property records show Márquez purchased the unit in early 2024 from an individual identified as a colonel in the Mexican Army.
That connection, according to watchdog groups, raises additional concerns about the possible use of public or military influence to secure favorable real estate deals.
Below-market price and opaque process
Real estate professionals familiar with the area told media outlets that 7.7 million pesos is “unrealistic” for a property of that size and location.
“This isn’t just a discount—it’s a red flag,” said one Mexico City appraiser, who noted that a similar penthouse just three blocks away recently sold for 24.5 million pesos.
Details about how the property was appraised, financed, and recorded have not been made public. No information has been released about whether the transaction involved a mortgage, cash, or a private loan.
Márquez has not issued a public statement, and as of August 6, he remains in his government post.
Public sector watchdogs call for investigation
Anti-corruption organizations, including Mexicanos Contra la Corrupción y la Impunidad (MCCI), have called for a formal investigation into the purchase, citing potential violations of ethics and asset transparency laws.
“There are too many unanswered questions,” said an MCCI spokesperson. “We’re talking about a senior official in Mexican customs acquiring a luxury asset far beyond the reach of what his declared income would support.”
The organization also pointed to the seller’s identity—a military officer with potential ties to federal infrastructure projects—as a reason to examine the deal for possible conflicts of interest.
A familiar pattern of enrichment
This case adds to growing public frustration over perceived self-enrichment among public officials in Mexico.
Márquez is not the first bureaucrat to be criticized for unexplained wealth. Over the past decade, officials across multiple administrations have been caught living far beyond their official salaries, from mansions in exclusive neighborhoods to international trips and luxury vehicles.
The problem, critics argue, lies in weak enforcement of asset declarations and a lack of consequences for those who violate transparency laws.
“The appearance of corruption is corrosive—even if everything was technically legal,” said a former transparency official. “When the public sees officials living like millionaires, trust erodes fast.”
Internal audit possible but not confirmed
Officials inside Mexico’s Tax Administration Service (SAT), which oversees customs, said on background that an internal audit could be initiated in response to public pressure.
However, as of now, no formal statement has been released by SAT or the Finance Ministry.
If launched, the audit would likely examine Márquez’s official income, property records, bank transactions, and any potential undeclared interests in real estate or corporate entities.
Should wrongdoing be found, Márquez could face administrative sanctions or even criminal charges under Mexico’s public servant accountability laws.
Larger concerns about customs and the military
The case also highlights growing concerns over the close links between Mexican customs and the military, which under both AMLO and Sheinbaum has assumed expanded authority over ports, airports, and inspections.
Critics argue that without strong oversight mechanisms, this fusion of roles creates more opportunities for corruption—especially in sensitive areas like customs enforcement and infrastructure contracts.
The fact that this property transaction involved both a customs official and an army officer has only added fuel to those fears.
