Uncovering a Covert Surveillance Network
In the Mexican state of Chiapas, authorities have uncovered a sophisticated surveillance network that was being used by a criminal group to track and extort migrants. This network was discovered after several security cameras were found installed in public spaces along the border. The municipalities of Frontera Hidalgo and Suchiate, located near the Guatemala-Mexico border, became key locations where this covert operation was taking place.
The investigation revealed that these cameras were placed at strategic points in Chiapas, specifically designed to monitor and control the movements of migrants. Authorities found 30 security cameras, which had been installed on poles that were similar to those used by the state’s official Escudo Urbano C5 system. This system is a network set up to manage emergency calls and ensure public safety. The system, which is used across various parts of Chiapas, is an integral part of the region’s emergency response efforts. However, these cameras, although mimicking the legitimate system, were being used by a criminal group for illegal purposes.
The discovery of these surveillance devices came after reports indicated that the cameras were being used not for public safety, but to track and extort migrants. These individuals, who were traveling through the area, were subjected to extortion and even kidnapping as a result of the cameras. The criminal group that installed the devices was allegedly using them to monitor migrant movements and then intercept them for ransom or other illicit activities. The group’s involvement in organized crime made the situation even more alarming.
The Operation to Dismantle the Network in Chiapas
Following the revelation of the surveillance network, authorities in Chiapas, including the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE), launched an operation to dismantle the system and prevent further harm to the migrants. In total, 27 of the 30 cameras were found within the municipal center of Frontera Hidalgo. The remaining cameras were located at various points, including at the entrances and exits of Ciudad Hidalgo, and one camera was discovered in the town of Zaragoza, part of the Suchiate municipality.
The cameras were removed with the help of several law enforcement agencies, including the State Security Secretariat, the National Institute of Migration, the National Guard, and the Immediate Reaction Force Pakal. These organizations worked together to deactivate all 30 cameras. The operation was carried out to ensure that the criminal group could no longer use these devices for their extortion and kidnapping operations.
The cameras were found to be placed in a manner that enabled the criminal group to closely monitor the movements of migrants and, as a result, target them for exploitation. The devices were strategically placed on poles that were similar to those used by the official Escudo Urbano C5 system. This allowed the cameras to blend in with legitimate surveillance efforts, making them more difficult for authorities to detect initially.
Link to Organized Crime and Other Discoveries
The discovery of the surveillance network in Chiapas was part of a larger investigation into a criminal group exploiting migrants. The cameras were used not just for extortion but also for kidnapping vulnerable individuals traveling through the region in search of better opportunities. The network spanned beyond Frontera Hidalgo and Suchiate, with additional cameras found in Metapa de Domínguez, Ciudad Hidalgo, and Zaragoza, showing the group’s wide-reaching control in Chiapas.
This incident highlights the increasing sophistication of criminal organizations using advanced technologies, like surveillance cameras, to manipulate and control migrants in Chiapas. These methods make it harder for authorities to detect and dismantle such networks, as criminals continue to refine their tactics to exploit vulnerable populations. The operation underscores the growing challenge law enforcement faces in countering organized crime.
In San Luis Potosí, a similar surveillance network was uncovered, where authorities seized 24 cameras monitoring security forces. Despite the successful operations, no arrests were made. These cases demonstrate the persistent threat posed by criminal organizations using high-tech tools to carry out illegal activities, stressing the importance of vigilance and cooperation between agencies to protect individuals from harm.
