Mexico City.- One research reveals that, despite the administration and supposed control of the Secretary of National Defense (Sedena) in the border customs of Mexico, the organized crime operates simultaneous collecting fees as an extra “tax” that users and companies that are victims.
In which Customs does organized crime in Mexico impose quotas even though the Sedena is there?
And these users and companies pay their taxes for imports to Mexico, but also criminal groups, colluded with Tijuana Customs officials, Ciudad Juárez, Matamoros, Reynosa and Nuevo Laredo They put together their own product catalog to extort with fees or rates ranging from 100 to 2 thousand dollars.
Reform indicates that he had access to a list of 215 products which was delivered by criminals to importing companies and customs agency offices.
Products and how much does organized crime charge at Mexican Customs?
For example, when legally introducing a medium tractor, In addition to paying the tax, crime requires paying a fee $350; for a pick up, 120 dollarss; for one motorcycle, 300 dollars; for a truck with caged cattle, one thousand dollars; speedboats with trailer, 550 dollars.
Maquiladoras, transporters, processors and customs agents reported that three months before the end of the previous six-year period the collection of fees at customs was unleashed a levels never seen before and on all members of the sector.
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This type of extortion It is different for those who try to enter goods or cars illegally or without reporting it to the treasury.
In any case, they must pay another type of higher amounts for criminals.
Who does organized crime extort the most in Mexican Customs?
In the middle of the year, extortioners began knocking on factory doors, transport companies and customs agenciesto give them a sheet with a cell phone number and a printed list of 15 products on which they had to pay additional fees to tariffs and other legal taxes
Initially it was about agricultural machinery and nationalized vehicles, but since then, month after month, the criminals increased the number of products and today their collection list September includes 215 productsaccording to the document provided by one of the victims.
Victims must pay extortion for various products, in addition to legal tax
“As the months went by, adding steel, wood, grease to your listlubricants… already looks like the general import tariff“said a businessman in the industry who has been extorted and who requested anonymity.
The particularity that has caught the attention of businessmen is that these groups do not They charge “rent” to imported hydrocarbons smuggling, the so-called “fiscal huachicol”, a business of criminal gangs that are related to the drug traffickingespecially on the border of Tamaulipas.
50 Mexican Customs, under the control of Sedena
From 2022 the control of the 50 customs offices in the country was under the responsibility of the Sedena and the Navy, although civilian employees still operate.
And now, the way of working of these extortion groups uses the customs databasesto which public servants have access.
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From there they get the Detailed information about the offices of the goods that enter and leave the country, as well as the customer and product namess handled by each customs office and the customs agency responsible for the procedure, as well as the names, tax domicile and customs patent number.
With this information, They go to maquiladoras, transport companies and customs agenciesto deliver the list of products with their fee and a number to call.
Many have chosen not to open the door to them, but the extortionists do not give up and they have even looked for their victims in other homes.
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Interview with Dr. Ricardo Lopez, Security Analyst
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Lopez. We recently came across an alarming report about the infiltration of organized crime in Mexico’s border customs, where they are allegedly imposing additional fees on imports. Can you shed some light on this situation?
Dr. Lopez: Thank you for having me. Yes, this report reveals a troubling reality. Despite the presence and supposed control of the Secretary of National Defense (Sedena) at these customs, organized crime is operating openly. They extract fees from businesses that are already paying legal import taxes. The collusion with customs officials in places like Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, Matamoros, Reynosa, and Nuevo Laredo suggests a deeply rooted issue.
Editor: That’s shocking. How significant are these fees, and what kind of products are affected?
Dr. Lopez: The fees can vary significantly, ranging from $100 to $2,000, depending on the product. For example, for a medium tractor, an importer would pay an additional $350. These criminal groups have established a list of 215 products on which they demand payments. Initially targeted items included agricultural machinery and nationalized vehicles, but the list has expanded significantly over time.
Editor: How has this extortion impacted businesses in Mexico?
Dr. Lopez: Businesses are severely affected. They are essentially paying double—first, legal taxes and then these illegal fees. Reports indicate that the collection of these fees has recently escalated to unprecedented levels, putting considerable financial strain on manufacturers, transporters, and customs agents alike. Many companies feel they have no choice but to comply to avoid significant disruptions.
Editor: Is there any sign that the government or Sedena is taking action to address this extortion?
Dr. Lopez: Unfortunately, there’s little evidence that effective measures are being implemented to combat this extortion. The continued presence of organized crime in customs raises questions about accountability and the integrity of the enforcement agencies in these regions. Businesses are calling for more robust protection and reform in order to operate without the burden of illegal fees.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Lopez, for your insights. It’s clear that this is a complex issue that needs urgent attention.
Dr. Lopez: Thank you for highlighting this critical matter. It’s essential that we continue to discuss and bring awareness to these challenges.
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Lopez. We recently came across an alarming report about the infiltration of organized crime in Mexico’s border customs, where they are allegedly imposing additional fees on imports. Can you shed some light on this situation?
Dr. Lopez: Thank you for having me. Yes, this report reveals a troubling reality. Despite the presence and supposed control of the Secretary of National Defense (Sedena) at these customs, organized crime is operating openly. They extract fees from businesses that are already paying legal import taxes. The collusion with customs officials in places like Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, Matamoros, Reynosa, and Nuevo Laredo suggests a deeply rooted issue.
Editor: That’s shocking. How significant are these fees, and what kind of products are affected?
Dr. Lopez: The fees can vary significantly, ranging from $100 to $2,000, depending on the product. For example, for a medium tractor, an importer would pay an additional $350. These criminal groups have established a list of 215 products on which they demand payments. Initially targeted items included agricultural machinery and nationalized vehicles, but the list has expanded significantly over time.
Editor: It’s hard to believe that this is happening while Sedena is supposed to be in control. How are these criminal organizations able to operate so freely?
Dr. Lopez: The situation is indeed perplexing. The involvement of Sedena should theoretically provide a layer of security and oversight. However, the operational methods of these criminal groups have evolved. They utilize customs databases to gain detailed information about imports, including the names of products, companies, and even the customs agents handling the transactions. This insider knowledge allows them to approach businesses directly, demanding fees effectively and knowing precisely how to exploit the system.
Editor: This sounds like a severe threat to legal businesses in the region. How are companies reacting to these extortion attempts?
Dr. Lopez: Many businesses are understandably on edge. Some choose to ignore these extortionists, hoping to avoid confrontation. However, the extortionists are persistent, even seeking out their targets outside of business premises. Victims have reported instances where criminals return multiple times or escalate their threats if payments are delayed or denied. It’s a precarious situation that puts immense pressure on legitimate businesses.
Editor: It must be incredibly challenging for those operating within these environments. What implications do you believe this has for trade and overall economic stability?
Dr. Lopez: The implications are quite severe. This kind of extortion can deter investment and increase the costs of doing business, leading to higher prices for consumers. Moreover, if the situation continues unchecked, it could further entrench organized crime within legitimate economic sectors, damaging the fabric of the economy and raising concerns about the rule of law in Mexico.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Lopez, for your insights. This issue certainly deserves continued attention as we assess its impact on both businesses and the broader society in Mexico.
Dr. Lopez: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to keep raising awareness about these matters to push for greater accountability and reform in the system.
