Cargo Theft in Mexico Surges, State of Mexico and Puebla Lead

Cargo theft remains one of the most pressing threats to Mexico’s logistics sector, with recent data from Assistcargo and Overhaul highlighting persistent risks and evolving criminal tactics across the country.

For the May–June 2025 period, the State of Mexico led the ranking, with a two-point percentage increase from the previous bimonthly period. Its high density of highways and concentration of industrial hubs make it a prime target. Criminals often intercept trucks within the first kilometers of their route, forcing drivers to stop.

Puebla ranked second, with a notable rise in violent robberies, including the use of firearms to intimidate drivers and extract shipment details. In Guanajuato, theft remains elevated due to its strategic highway connections — MEX-45D (Queretaro–Jalisco) and Federal 57 (Queretaro–San Luis Potosi) — with municipalities such as Apaseo el Grande, Celaya, and San Jose Iturbide most affected.

San Luis Potosi saw a sharp rise in incidents, displacing Hidalgo and Veracruz from the top five. Most events occurred along Federal Highway 57 between Santa Maria del Rio and the Entronque de Matehuala.

Official Crime Statistics Show Mixed Trends

In June 2025, the SESNSP reported that the states with the highest number of thefts included the State of Mexico, Puebla, San Luis Potosi, Michoacan, and Oaxaca, MBN reports. According to that data, both the State of Mexico and Puebla reported a month-over-month decrease in incidents.

However, AMIS data covering insured heavy equipment theft from July 2024 to June 2025 presents a different picture. The highest theft rates were concentrated in the State of Mexico (19%), Puebla (16.5%), Guanajuato (7.27%), Veracruz (7%), and Jalisco (6.4%) — together accounting for 56.17% of reported cases.

The most stolen brands were Kenworth, Freightliner, and International, while dry van trailers, dollies, and tankers were among the top targets for violent theft. This reflects a growing trend toward targeted, high-value cargo attacks.

In June 2025 alone, an average of 23 heavy-duty vehicle thefts occurred daily, with 16 recoveries, totaling 688 thefts and 466 recoveries for the month. Although the recovery rate is significant, it still leaves a large operational gap and substantial cargo losses.

Most Targeted Products and Vehicles

Across Mexico, food and drinks remain the most stolen products (29% per Assistcargo and 33% per Overhaul), followed by building materials, textiles, auto parts, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and alcoholic beverages. The theft of metals — particularly steel, aluminum, and copper — has surged, especially in Puebla, Guanajuato, and San Luis Potosi.

The most targeted vehicles were semi-trucks (39%), followed by light trucks under 3.5 tons (23%), tortons (18%), rabones (16%), and fulls (4%). Over half (57%) of thefts occurred while vehicles were in transit.

Notable hotspots include:

• Mexico–Puebla (150D): San Marcos Huixtoco–San Martin Texmelucan

• Arco Norte: Jilotepec–San Martin Texmelucan

• Mexico–Queretaro: Cuautitlan Izcalli–Pedro Escobedo

• Puebla–Veracruz (150D): Maltrata–La Tinaja

• Queretaro–Irapuato: Apaseo El Grande–Cerro Gordo

• Salamanca–Leon (43D): Cerro Gordo–Leon

• Queretaro–San Luis Potosi: San Jose Iturbide–Santa Maria del Rio

• San Luis Potosi–Matehuala (57): La Pila–Entronque de Matehuala

• Guadalajara–Lagos de Moreno (80D): Tepatitlan–San Juan de los Lagos

• Acatlan–Macrolibramiento GDL: Acatlan–Zapotlanejo

• Cordoba–Minatitlan (145D): La Tinaja–Acayucan

• Circuito Exterior Mexiquense: Zumpango–Chalco

National data show that 84% of thefts occur between Monday and Friday, peaking from Tuesday to Friday. The most dangerous hours are midnight to 6:00 a.m., according to Assistcargo, followed by evening and night.

Regional Trends

Overhaul’s analysis shows that in 2Q25, the Central region accounted for 54% of incidents and the West for 26%, concentrating 80% of theft nationwide. The fourth quadrant (Central and Southeast) alone represented 76.8% of thefts. Spatial shifts were observed compared to 2Q24, with slight increases in the first, second, and fourth quadrants, and a small drop in the third (West).

Puebla, Guanajuato, Michoacan, Veracruz, and San Luis Potosi all saw year-on-year increases, with Puebla up four percentage points and Michoacan and Veracruz up two.

The primary method remains in-transit interception. Theft from unsecured parking areas such as cachimbas and huachicoleras represented 34%, showing a rising trend since late 2024.