Cargo Theft Continues to Surge

Violence in Mexican highways continues to rise, despite efforts made by the country’s government to attend to this issue. Recent statistics paint a troubling picture of increasing crime rates, greatly affecting citizens and transportation companies. 

The Common Jurisdiction Crime Incidence Index, provided monthly by the Executive Ministry of the National Public Security System (SESNSP), reports a 9.07% increase in cargo theft during the January-August 2023 period, compared to the same months in 2022. The report also points to an 8.22% increase in violent robberies.

The regions that saw an increase in cargo theft compared to July of this year are Jalisco, where theft reports grew by  11.1%, the State of Mexico with 15.6% and San Luis Potosi with 377.7%. Other states with significant robbery rates were Michoacan and Puebla.

According to a report by Overhaul, in 2Q23, most thefts were concentrated in the central and western regions of the country, accounting for 88% of the cases, with Michoacan and Queretaro reporting the highest criminal activity in the region. Meanwhile, the State of Mexico and Puebla accounted for over 50% of cargo thefts in Mexico. The report also states that the time with the highest criminal activity is between 6:00 am and 12:00 pm (28%), with Wednesdays having the highest incidence (21%) and units in transit being more susceptible to theft, accounting for 77% of cases.

Among the most dangerous highways are the Arco Norte highway (MEX-M40D), which which runs through the states of the State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala and Puebla and the MEX-57D highway, which connects Hidalgo to the State of Mexico.

In response to this problem, CANACAR called on authorities to intensify road security efforts to safeward the transportation industry, which contributes 3.5% to the GDP and makes up 52.7% of the logistics GDP. The industry moves 548.1 million tons of cargo annually, equivalent to 56.8% of total domestic cargo. Additionally, 83.3% of the value of Mexico's imports and exports with the US is moved by freight transportation.

To address the increasing thefts on the Puebla-Orizaba highway, the National Guard has deployed more personnel and drones to combat criminal gangs operating in that area. This initiative aligns with what AI27 has been implementing, Christian Rauda, CEO AI27, tells MBN. 

Other government efforts include the Immediate Alert Line Against Robberies (LAICA), a strategy that allegedly has helped detain 64 persons for highway robberies. Also, according to the Fifth Presidential Address, alongside LAICA, a Safe Highway Program has been key in fostering collaboration between the National Guard, local law enforcement agencies and the private sector. The program aims to prevent and respond to highway robberies and thefts across Mexico.