Earlier in June, robbers stole 20 containers of gold and silver ore, TVs and electronics from a container storage yard in Manzanillo, Mexico as authorities in Colima informed.
The theft has led to calls to improve security from the merchants who use Mexico’s biggest container port to handle their wares. Commenting more about the theft, local media noted that a group of 9-15 well-armed criminals entered a privately-operated container storage yard on Calle Algodones.
Upon entering, the team reportedly detained the guards, before finding and removing 20 shipping containers of precious metal ore and electronics. To do that, they used forklifts to hoist the containers onto chassis and had the trucking capacity to make off with the haul. The total value of the theft has not been released, and the perpetrators have not been caught.
The three-quarters of cargo theft takes place at logistics hubs and warehouses, with Free Trade Zone (FTZ) being particularly vulnerable locations.
However, the report explains that Free Trade Zones (FTZs) in Gulf countries generally represent an area of higher vulnerability to illicit smuggling activity for supply chains because they are designed with more liberalized conditions to facilitate higher volumes of trade at a faster pace.
To attract businesses, these conditions include simplified customs procedures and reduced administrative oversight, which may create opportunities that criminals could exploit to traffic contraband via the supply chain.
These reduced customs inspection procedures and administrative oversight is what distinguishes FTZs from other logistics hubs, but it also lends itself to an environment conducive to smuggling.
As for the US, the third quarter cargo theft data in the US shows storage facilities targeted in 45% of reported cases, up from 20% of recorded cases in the same quarter in 2020.
The changes in theft patterns from the same quarter last year highlight a trend away from ‘on the move’ targets to those locations where cargo is temporarily stored and delivered.
These locations include traditional warehouses and depots where containers and trailers are being held awaiting collection, many of which are temporary facilities in port areas without adequate security regimes.