Matamoros, Mexico: Cargo Extortion

CARGO EXTORTION THREAT IN MATAMOROS, MEXICO

OSAC.gov reported on July 29th at approximately 0900, an overland cargo company contracted by an OSAC constituent was targeted for extortion in Matamoros, Mexico. A truck delivering supplies to Saltillo via the FINSA industrial park was stopped by a group of individuals claiming to be Gulf Cartel members. The incident occurred on Avendia Uniones in proximity to the FINSA industrial park. The assailants demanded the driver call their supervisor at the company office and told the supervisor that the truck driver and cargo would proceed unharmed if the company agreed to pay $5000 Mexican pesos a month for every other truck traveling through this route in the state of Tamaulipas. The incident was reported to the local army base by the contracted company, but they were told by the Mexican Army to contact the Tamaulipas State Attorney General’s office. The company declined to do so because of a lack of trust in the Tamaulipas State Attorney General. The company intends to continue operations along the same route. At the time this report was submitted, no additional security countermeasures have been employed by truck drivers along this route. Read Article – Subscription Required