HIGHWAY HEISTS IN MEXICO: THE MOST STOLEN GOODS AND THE RED ROUTES THAT FUEL THEM

Official and private reports estimate between 13,000 and 15,000 incidents annually, most of them involving violence against drivers. According to the National Public Security System, more than 80 percent of these crimes happen with force, exposing both goods and operators to severe risks.

The targets are predictable: everyday products that can be resold quickly and without raising suspicion. Food and beverages lead the list, making up nearly 30 percent of thefts, with beer alone representing 77 percent of all alcohol stolen in transit. Construction materials, metals, and chemicals account for another 12 percent. Electronics, appliances, cigarettes, and cosmetics fall into the “miscellaneous” category, roughly 11 percent of the total. Auto parts (5–7 percent), textiles (4 percent), and pharmaceuticals (4–6 percent) are also frequent targets. The pattern is clear: criminals look for what moves fast in the black market.

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Why is it riskier than ever to move goods across Mexico?

Reports from Overhaul, CANACAR, and CONATRAM all confirm a steady rise in cases. Overhaul counted 20,746 thefts in 2023 (a 3.1 percent increase over 2022). CANACAR registered 13,000 cases (+5 percent), while CONATRAM projected nearly 16,000 in 2024 (+9.15 percent). Beyond numbers, the nature of the crime has become harsher. Attacks are now more violent and better organized, with gangs using technology to stay ahead.

The geography of theft has also shifted. Puebla, for instance, saw a 36 percent increase in 2024, catching up to the State of Mexico as one of the most dangerous corridors. Seasonal peaks occur in June and November, matching high-demand periods for freight movement.

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From beer to microchips: what are thieves really after?

The appeal lies in liquidity. Beer, a staple in Mexican households, is the easiest to move on the black market, from corner shops to informal bars. Construction materials and metals such as steel, copper, and cement have steady buyers in booming informal construction. Electronics and home appliances hold high value per unit and disappear into local flea markets or online resale.

Textiles and shoes are attractive because they are untraceable and always in demand, while auto parts feed workshops and illegal resale networks. Pharmaceuticals, though fewer in number, are targeted for their high value and urgency. Medicines often end up in illegal pharmacies, posing a health risk. Agrochemicals spike during planting season, rising by more than 40 percent, and fuel theft remains a parallel black market, with hijacked tankers selling gasoline and diesel at clandestine stations.

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The red routes: where theft hits hardest

Ten states account for the vast majority of cases, but two dominate the map: Estado de México (around 27–28 percent of all cases) and Puebla (19–21 percent). Critical points include Cuautitlán, Tepotzotlán, Ecatepec, and the Circuito Exterior Mexiquense in the State of Mexico, as well as San Martín Texmelucan and Esperanza in Puebla. Veracruz, Guanajuato, Jalisco, and Michoacán follow closely.

Highways like México–Querétaro, the Arco Norte in Hidalgo, and the México–Puebla–Veracruz corridor are notorious hotspots. Truck drivers also facehigh risks in urban congestion zones and at unauthorized rest stops, where thieves take advantage of forced breaks.

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Curtainazo, fake checkpoints, and GPS jammers: how thieves operate

Most thefts occur while the truck is still moving. Armed groups surround the unit, force it to stop, and take control of both the driver and the vehicle. Technology plays a role: GPS jammers cut off tracking signals, giving criminals valuable time to divert the cargo. Fake checkpoints and staged accidents are also common tactics, forcing drivers to stop under false pretenses.

Other strategies include “curtainazo”, where thieves cut the trailer’s tarps to quickly pull goods, and the detachment of entire trailers using their own tractors. Complicity inside companies also fuels the problem, with leaked route information or staged robberies.

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More than stolen goods: the hidden cost for Mexico

The damage is not only in merchandise. According to industry groups, losses surpass 2.3 billion pesos annually, without considering unreported cases. Insurance premiums haves kyrocketed, and many policies now exclude night routes or demand armede scorts. Disruptions cause supply shortages, factory delays, and higher costs for consumers.

Human costs are rising as well. Mexico faces a deficit of 70,000 to 80,000 truck drivers, partly due to the dangers on the road. Drivers face trauma, injuries, or even death during attacks. For companies, repeated incidents also damage their reputation and erode customer trust.

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Securing the road: how companies fight back

The industry is fighting back with technology and coordination. Real-time telematics and 24/7 monitoring detect deviations and trigger immediate alerts. Geofencing helps enforce safe routes, while anti-jammer systems respond to signal interference. Cameras and panic buttons transmit live feeds, while smart locks and electronic seals make tampering harder.

Operational changes like deploying two drivers per truck and avoiding high-risk night hours are becoming standard. Public-private cooperation is also key, with information-sharing networks and coordinated operations with authorities. Looking ahead, companies are testing predictive analytics, AI, and even drones to monitor cargo in real time.

The challenge is far from over. As thieves become more sophisticated, so must the strategies to stop them. The future of Mexico’s logistics sector depends not only on moving goods, but on ensuring they arrive safely at their destination.