Mexico Targets Illegal Logging in 28 States

Mexico’s Federal Environmental Protection Agency (PROFEPA) coordinated a nationwide forest enforcement operation across 28 states from Jan. 28 to Jan. 30, targeting illegal logging, unauthorized land-use changes, and the illicit transport of forest products, federal authorities said.

The operation — the first simultaneous multi-state forest enforcement effort of 2026 — focused on critical forest regions and included inspections of sawmills, properties, and transport routes linked to the forest product supply chain. The effort resulted in temporary closures, seizures of forest resources, and the initiation of administrative and criminal proceedings.

PROFEPA coordinated the operation with 464 personnel from federal, state, and municipal agencies, including the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), municipal ecology offices, the Ministry of National Defense, the National Guard, the Ministry of the Navy, the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), and state and local police forces.

Authorities installed 25 transport checkpoints, conducted 16 surveillance patrols, and carried out 38 forestry inspections at sawmills and properties affected by illegal land-use changes. As a result, PROFEPA ordered 25 closures — eight at forest raw material storage and processing centers (CATs) and 17 at properties affected by unauthorized land-use changes on forest land. Officials also seized 394.95 cubic meters (m³) of timber, 1,202.4 kilograms (kg) of charcoal, 2,800 kg of agave pineapples, five pieces of machinery, and 12 vehicles.

“This year we are strengthening our operations in critical forest areas. Protecting forests is a priority, and to achieve it we are acting in coordination with authorities at all levels of government. Impunity for those who destroy forest ecosystems is over,” said PROFEPA chief Mariana Boy Tamborrell.

State-by-State Actions

• Aguascalientes: Authorities seized a vehicle and 1.80 m³ of oak firewood in the Sierra Fría Natural Protected Area, municipality of Rincón de Romos, after the driver failed to prove legal origin.

• Baja California Sur: PROFEPA ordered a temporary total closure of a 1,200-square-meter (m²) property in Cabo Pulmo, Los Cabos municipality, due to unauthorized land-use change involving the construction of a house and access road.

• Campeche: A CAT in Escárcega was closed after inspectors determined it could not prove the legal origin of forest products being marketed.

• Chiapas: Seven reported addresses in Ocozocoautla, Villaflores, Chiapa de Corzo, and Tuxtla Gutiérrez were found to be fictitious sawmill locations. Criminal complaints will be filed. A single CAT in Tuxtla Gutiérrez was verified and cited for a minor irregularity, triggering an administrative procedure.

• Coahuila: Surveillance patrols in Saltillo, Ramos Arizpe, and Arteaga detected an area with suspected illegal land-use change. A formal inspection has been scheduled.

• Chihuahua: Two CATs were inspected in the municipality of Chihuahua. At one site, inspectors identified a documentary surplus of 504.068 m³ of pine timber, prompting a precautionary seizure of documentation.

• Durango: Two CATs were closed in the La Michilía Biosphere Reserve, municipality of Nombre de Dios, with the precautionary seizure of 2,800 kg of agave pineapples and 5.690 m³ of mesquite firewood. An unauthorized stone materials bank was also closed in Lerdo. In Pueblo Nuevo, a transport checkpoint led to the seizure of 150 táscate posts totaling 2.800 m³ and the vehicle transporting them.

• Guanajuato: A transport checkpoint in the municipality of Guanajuato reported no irregularities.

• Guerrero: Authorities conducted surveillance patrols and installed two transport checkpoints along routes in Vallecitos, Balcón de la Bandera, Ocote Peregrino, and Zihuatanejo, with no violations detected.

• Hidalgo: Three CATs were closed in Acaxochitlán for operating without legal authorization. Inspectors seized 36.945 m³ of sawn pine and 0.554 m³ of sawn fir.

• Jalisco: A 39.6-hectare property in Poncitlán and Ocotlán was closed after inspectors detected illegal land-use change for the establishment of an agave plantation.

• State of Mexico: A 2,100-m² property in Jiquipilco operating as an unauthorized materials bank was closed, and a stone screening machine was seized.

• Michoacan: An illegal sawmill was closed in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, municipality of Senguio. In the avocado-producing corridor—including Zitácuaro, Uruapan, and Morelia—authorities seized 10 vehicles, 172.279 m³ of timber, and 420 kg of charcoal during transport inspections.

• Morelos: A 3,000-m² property was closed for illegal land-use change in the Bosque de Agua area of Tetela del Volcán. A transport checkpoint in Huitzilac reported no violations.

• Nayarit: A property exceeding three hectares was closed in San Blas after inspectors documented damage to mangroves and wetlands, including land filling and road construction.

• Oaxaca: A CAT in Oaxaca de Juárez was closed after inspectors found it was operating as a sawmill without authorization. Authorities seized 3,336 pieces of lumber totaling 44.976 m³ and milling equipment.

• Puebla: A CAT in Aquixtla was inspected, with minor irregularities identified that did not warrant precautionary measures.

• Queretaro: Authorities detected continued activity at a mercury mine in Peñamiller that had previously been closed in October 2025. Closure seals were reinstalled.

• Quintana Roo: Five properties were closed in Playa del Carmen and Felipe Carrillo Puerto due to illegal land-use changes affecting more than 26 hectares of medium subperennial forest.

• San Luis Potosi: A transport checkpoint in Zaragoza detected no violations.

• Sinaloa: Three transport checkpoints were installed along the Mazatlán–Culiacán highway, with no irregularities reported.

• Sonora: Two properties were closed for unauthorized land-use change, including 2.5 hectares in the Sierra de Álamos–Río Cuchujaqui Reserve and a 2,000-m² site in the Román Yocupicio ejido.

• Tabasco: Inspections of two CATs and forestry operations in Teapa and Macuspana resulted in the seizure of tropical hardwood species—including mahogany, melina, and macuilis—totaling more than 127 m³.

• Tlaxcala: Authorities seized 782.4 kg of charcoal and 2.25 m³ of roundwood during a search in San Pablo del Monte and closed a 22,066-m² property in Españita for illegal land-use change.

• Veracruz: Surveillance patrols were conducted in the Cofre de Perote Natural Protected Area and surrounding municipalities to document suspected illegal forestry activities for future enforcement action.

• Yucatan: Two properties were closed for illegal land-use change affecting more than 19 hectares, including a stone materials bank and agricultural clearing in the Mesatunich ejido.

• Zacatecas: Authorities verified a forest sanitation operation and installed transport checkpoints in Pinos, with no violations detected.

• Mexico City Metropolitan Area: The “Los Encinos” sawmill in Huixquilucan de Degollado was closed. Individuals fled during the inspection, and PROFEPA said a criminal complaint will be filed.