The Dark Side of Mexico's Cargo Theft Epidemic

Mexico's cargo theft problem has reached alarming levels, with organized crime groups fueling the surge in stolen goods. According to the National Association of Vehicle Tracking and Protection Companies (ANERPV), the country averaged six cargo thefts per day in August, with most cases occurring in the central region. In total, 142 cargo trucks were stolen or robbed in August, a 2.8% increase from the same period last year. Cargo theft in Mexico is a highly organized and sophisticated criminal activity, with criminals using advanced equipment and techniques to steal goods. Jose Suarez, a Latin America expert for real-time visibility provider Tive, explained that the criminals' modus operandi typically involves slowing down a truck with a decoy vehicle, then jumping onto the trailer or trying to get into the tractor through a window. Once inside, they open the trailer and take the stolen goods, sometimes even taking the entire truck and trailer with them.

The highways around the states of Puebla and Mexico City are particularly dangerous for truckers, with 46 and 27 stolen cargo trucks, respectively, in August. Suarez also reported seeing tracker jammers on the highways, which are worth $10,000 each and are used to block tracking devices in trucks. The majority of cargo thefts occur while trucks are in transit, followed by robberies committed while the tractor-trailer is parked. Almost 88% of stolen goods are taken while the truck is moving, and thefts often involve advanced techniques, such as using specialized equipment to disable tracking devices. To combat cargo theft, companies like Tive are developing innovative solutions, such as real-time tracking devices that provide visibility into the location and condition of goods. Suarez explained that these devices offer traceability solutions, as well as technology for temperature monitoring and other services.

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