Customs' Contraband Seizures Point to Persistent Problem at Mexican Ports Michael Lohmuller - InSight Crime
go to original May 1, 2015

Data on seizures by customs officials at Mexico’s ports of entry over the last decade illustrates where organized crime prefers to smuggle goods into and out of the country, and the importance cartels place on controlling these points.

Statistics compiled by El Universal from the Tax Administration Service (SAT) - Mexico’s customs agency - show that, between 2005 and 2014, there were 18,326 seizures at the four customs offices of Ciudad Juarez (7,950), Nuevo Laredo (7,109), Manzanillo (2,778), and Lazaro Cardenas (489); a fifth entry point, Mexico City's International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de Mexico - AICM), saw 3,654 drug and contraband seizures.

El Universal said the Sinaloa Cartel and Juarez Cartel sought to control Ciudad Juarez; the Zetas and Gulf Cartel the Nuevo Laredo border crossing; the Jalisco Cartel – New Generation (CJNG) and Knights Templar the Lazaro Cardenas and Manzanillo ports; and the CJNG the airport.

According to a former customs official interviewed by El Universal, the AICM is the “the crown jewel” for organized crime because “the most expensive merchandise comes through this port.” The article notes that since 2005, more than $7 million dollars has been confiscated at the AICM.

The former official added that customs workers across the country have become “the employees of organized crime,” with Mexican cartels seeking to control all ports of entry.

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