October Sees Surge in Cargo Theft, Highlighting Security Gaps

In October 2024, cargo theft rose sharply in Mexico, according to both public and private organizations. However, public and private figures differ, highlighting the challenges in accurately assessing the scale of cargo theft in Mexico and underscoring the urgent need for unified data and a coordinated response.

According to the Common Jurisdiction Crime Incidence Index from the Executive Ministry of the National Public Security System (SESNSP). Nationwide, 747 thefts were reported during October 2024, marking a 6.25% increase compared to October 2023. 

The State of Mexico recorded the highest number of thefts, with 389 incidents, representing a 35.5% rise from the previous month and an 8.96% increase year-over-year. Puebla, Michoacan, San Luis Potosi, and Oaxaca were also significantly impacted, with Oaxaca doubling its reported thefts, reports SESNSP.

However, private security firm Blac reports that Puebla has the highest percentage of thefts (26%), followed by the State of Mexico (14%) and San Luis Potosi (11%).

Theft Patterns and Targeted Goods

Blac also highlights the most frequently stolen items included empty containers (28%), general merchandise (24%), groceries (21%), and electronics (8%). Most incidents occurred during early morning hours (81%), peaking between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. The riskiest days for cargo theft were Tuesdays (21%), Thursdays (19%), and Wednesdays (18%).

The Mexican Association of Insurance Institutions (AMIS) reports 9,454 insured heavy vehicles stolen between November 2023 and October 2024 — a 0.37% increase compared to the previous period. Kenworth trucks topped the list of targeted brands, with 2,153 thefts.

AMOTAC’s Data and Proposals

Mexico’s highways are becoming increasingly insecure due to organized crime, inadequate infrastructure, corruption, and insufficient law enforcement responses, says Rafael Ortiz, National President, AMOTAC in a press release given to MBN.

In addition to theft, drivers face poorly maintained roads, inadequate signage, and limited surveillance, all of which heighten their vulnerability, reports the AMOTAC. Critical routes include Mexico-Saltillo, Queretaro-Zacatecas, and Mexico-Veracruz. The State of Mexico, Queretaro, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi, Puebla, Veracruz, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacan, Tabasco, Zacatecas, and Aguascalientes are particularly vulnerable. Key routes with daily theft reports include:

• Mexico-Saltillo: Frequent thefts near the Tepotzotlan-San Juan del Rio Queretaro toll booth, San Luis de la Paz, San Luis Potosi, and Matehuala, with up to 20 incidents daily.

• Queretaro-Zacatecas: Theft-prone areas include Queretaro, Celaya, Salamanca (toll and free roads), Leon, Lagos de Moreno, Aguascalientes, and Fresnillo, with around 15 daily incidents.

• Mexico-Veracruz Toll Road: Notable theft zones include San Marcos-San Martin Texmelucan, Amozoc-Cordoba, and La Tinaja-Cosoleacaque, with approximately 10 daily cases.

• Arco Norte Highway: Theft hotspots from Mexico-Queretaro to Calpulalpan-San Martin Texmelucan, averaging seven daily incidents.

• Mexico-Veracruz Free Road: Robbery reports peak along Texcoco-Calpulalpan, Apizaco-Cuapiaxtla, and Cuapiaxtla-Perote, with six to seven cases daily.

• Mexico-Pachuca: Ojo de Agua-Tizayuca toll booth records five daily thefts.

• Mexico-Guadalajara Highway: The Atlacomulco-Acambaro and Ecuandureo-Guadalajara sections report about five daily incidents.

Ortiz says that the theft patterns reveal a strong focus on certain cargo types: food and beverages (58%), construction materials and industrial goods (12%),miscellaneous items (9%), clothing and footwear (7%), auto parts (5%), livestock and machinery (4%), and other goods (1%)

In response to this crisis, AMOTAC has outlined five key proposals to combat cargo theft. The first is to establish agreements between the business sector and the National Guard to implement security measures in the central-western region, which accounts for 80% of thefts. The second is to integrate the business sector into the Immediate Alert Line Against Assaults (LAICA) group to expedite responses to criminal events, leveraging tools like WhatsApp for swift reporting. The third is to launch awareness campaigns that share best practices and offer training courses led by the Directorate of Highway Safety. The fourth is to enhance collaboration among federal, state, and municipal authorities and COPARMEX’s 68 Business Centers to report and evaluate progress. Finally, the fifth is to develop a comprehensive information system to create risk maps, identify high-risk routes, and monitor potential threats, such as social or criminal group activities that block highways.