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Violence in Mexico is a growing problem that has greatly affected shippers. Q1-2024 experienced 5,140 total cargo theft events with 84% of thefts involving violence. Cargo theft in general is also on the rise–between Q1-2023 and Q1-2024, there was a 1.4% increase in thefts. As these violent thefts continue to assail the country, shipments, truck drivers, and business integrity are all at risk.
Overhaul is committed to helping our customers mitigate the threats associated with cargo theft and violence in Mexico. For this reason, we asked our Mexico & LATAM Intel Manager, Fernanda Esther Gabutti, for more insights regarding criminal activity in the region.
Here’s what she had to say about why violence is on the rise, how these thefts connect to other crimes, and what you can do to prepare.
The growing problem of cargo theft in Mexico
Cargo theft in Mexico is a complex and multifaceted problem, with a range of factors contributing to its prevalence. One of the primary drivers of cargo theft is the country’s high levels of organized crime. These criminal groups operate across a range of industries, including transportation and logistics.
“The most common types of products that were stolen in Q1-2024 included food and drinks and building and industrial products,” said Gabutti. “Criminal groups will often steal these products and resell them on the Gray Market.”
Another factor contributing to the problem of cargo theft in Mexico is the country’s vast and often challenging geography. With a large land area and diverse terrain, Mexico presents significant logistical challenges for transportation companies, particularly those operating in remote or rural areas. This becomes an even bigger issue when transporting goods across long distances, as the threats can vary from place to place.
The country’s top five targeted states are the State of Mexico, Puebla, Guanajuato, Jalisco, and Michoacán. Notably, while the Mexican State currently faces the most cargo theft events, Puebla could soon surpass it. These five states also experience formidable threats in the form of violence, with 90% of thefts in Puebla involving violence against drivers.
Why cargo thieves resorted to violence in Mexico in 2023
Cargo theft is a crime of opportunity in most cases, so the environmental conditions of the areas of greatest theft facilitate the commission of this crime. Shippers can face both inexperienced criminal groups and criminal groups that have perfected their mode of operation. As a highly profitable crime, cargo theft requires criminals to employ violent methods of approach and attack.
“We are faced with organized groups that use multiple tactics to commit robberies, said Gabutti. “These may include blitz or sudden approach methods in which criminals fire shots at the cargo units to stop them. They can also include surprise attacks by intercepting the cargo units while in motion or placing objects on the roads to puncture the tires. There is also the method of deception by implementing fake checkpoints or using cloned patrols.“
These methods of attack and control require verbal aggressions towards, and sometimes physical attacks against, the drivers. Criminals employ these methods in order to obtain information about the type of merchandise the drivers are transporting. Criminals can also use electronic means to block the signal of GPS devices while the crime is committed. Additionally, they may keep the drivers restrained to prevent them from being able to alert law enforcement about the robbery.
How Overhaul supports supply chain security in Mexico
Overhaul is committed to helping our customers mitigate the risks associated with cargo theft violence in Mexico. Via advanced technology and data analytics, we provide control and security from origin to destination.
One of the key ways that Overhaul helps our customers secure their products in Mexico is through our advanced tracking and monitoring capabilities, which provide real-time visibility into the location and status of cargo. Our platform also provides alerts and notifications in the event of any unusual activity or deviations from planned routes. Companies can then take immediate action to address potential security threats.
Another way we help customers secure their products in Mexico is through our advanced analytics capabilities. By leveraging data from a range of sources, including GPS tracking, weather data, and historical crime data, our platform provides insights into potential security threats and enables companies to proactively identify and address them. This can include identifying high-risk areas and routes, as well as providing recommendations for additional security measures.
Finally, Overhaul’s platform provides a range of tools and resources to help companies manage their supply chain security more effectively. This includes access to a range of security experts and consultants, as well as training and education resources to help companies develop and implement effective security protocols. In addition, our platform provides a range of reporting and analytics tools, enabling our customers to track and measure the effectiveness of their security.
Strategic collaboration with authorities, associations, and concessionaires of communication routes
Through our Mexico & LATAM Intel & Security Director, Luis Villatoro, Overhaul has created collaborative ties with federal, state and municipal authorities. We’ve also fostered strategic alliances with associations such as ANERPV, ASIS, and national industry chambers. In addition, we’ve established links with concessionaires of the main communication routes in the country such as Aleatica with presence in the State of Mexico and Puebla, RCO in the west region, and the Arco Norte highway.
At the same time, Overhaul is part of statistical tables with federal authorities where the National Public Security System (SNSP) participates, as well as the most representative chambers and associations at the national level to monitor the incidence of cargo theft.
Overhaul shares Actionable Intelligence with these security partners to jointly establish cargo theft prevention and mitigation strategies in the country. These strategic alliances are designed to improve intelligence and security on the roads, with the ultimate goal of ensuring safer roads throughout Mexico.
Overhaul in action
Here are some examples of how we’ve helped our customers with their cargo in Mexico:
Recovery in Hidalgo
In February 2024, the Overhaul Monitoring Center in Mexico (MSOC) identified on the Overhaul platform the loss of GPS visibility of a cargo unit while driving on the Querétaro-Mexico highway (MEX-57D) at Tepeji del Río, Hidalgo. They immediately activated the emergency protocol with authorities, creating a security fence.
MSOC remained alert and helped achieve the recovery of the cargo unit with merchandise in Teoloyucan, State of Mexico with a detainee. Overhaul’s good relationship with the authorities led to the subsequent arrest of four other criminals from this criminal group.
Dismantling of criminal group in the State of Mexico
In May 2024, as a result of the implementation of prevention strategies in monitoring based on the identification of risk areas through the use of Actionable Intelligence, MSOC detected the moment in which a cargo unit was approached by criminals while transiting on the Querétaro-México highway (MEX-57D) in El Cazadero, State of Mexico. They immediately activated the emergency protocol with the authorities and requested that the carrier activate the engine stop.
This prompt identification and joint work with the carrier and immediate response from the authorities resulted in the arrest of 10 members of a criminal group dedicated to cargo theft in the area.
Recovery in Michoacán
In July 2024, the driver reported a mechanical failure on the Maxipista (MEX-15D) in Tungareo, Mich. The cargo unit had been intercepted. The criminals unhooked the containers and used three signal jammers.
MSOC activated the emergency protocol, working collaboratively with different security partners. It then followed up on the updates of the devices in the containers, carrying out a security fence with the authorities. In turn, we achieved the recovery of containers with merchandise in Ixtlahuaca de Rayón, Méx.
Contact us for more information about how Overhaul helps shippers in Latin America, Europe, the United States, and beyond. And to learn more about the impact of increased violence on cargo theft in Mexico, read our latest Mexico report.
