Why criminals go to mexico

However, state and local police forces continue to suffer from lack of training and funding, and are a weak deterrent to criminals, often armed with superior weapons. In some areas, municipal police are widely suspected of colluding with organized crime.

In others, police officers are specifically targeted by criminal organizations. Because of the dangerous situation in which police officers operate, all travelers are advised to take a non-threatening posture when interacting with police and to cooperate with police instructions.

We further advise travelers to avoid any areas where law enforcement operations are being carried out. Pirated Merchandise: Counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available in Mexico. Their sale is largely controlled by organized crime. Personal Property: Travelers should always leave valuables and irreplaceable items in a safe place, or avoid bringing them at all. Visitors are encouraged to make use of hotel safes, avoid wearing expensive jewelry, clothing, or accessories, and carry only the cash or credit cards that will be needed on each outing.

There have been significant numbers of incidents of pick pocketing, purse snatching, and hotel-room theft. Public transportation is a particularly popular place for pickpockets. Do not leave valuables in rental vehicles, even when locked. Some travelers have had their passports stolen from their bags within airports. Remember to secure your passport within a zipper pocket or other safe enclosure so that it cannot be easily removed from your person or your luggage.

Be vigilant of your passport even after passing through security and while waiting in a departure lounge to board your flight. Business travelers should be aware that theft can occur even in apparently secure locations. Theft of items such as briefcases and laptops occur frequently at Mexico City's Benito Juarez International Airport and at business-class hotels.

A number of U. If you receive what you believe to be a counterfeit bank note, bring it to the attention of Mexican law enforcement. Personal Safety: Visitors should be aware of their surroundings at all times, even when in areas generally considered safe. Women traveling alone are especially vulnerable and should exercise caution, particularly at night.

Some U. S Citizens have reported being sexually assaulted, robbed of personal property, or abducted and then held while their credit cards were used at various businesses or Automatic Teller Machines ATMs. Individuals who have been targeted were often walking alone in isolated locations.

Be very cautious in general when using ATMs in Mexico. If you must use an ATM, it should be accessed only during the business day at large protected facilities preferably inside commercial establishments, rather than at glass-enclosed, highly visible ATMs on streets. Travelers to remote or isolated hunting or fishing venues should be aware that they may be some distance from appropriate medical services, banking facilities such as ATMs , and law enforcement or consular assistance in an emergency.

Kidnapping: Kidnapping, including the kidnapping of U. So-called express kidnappings, i. Kidnappings are largely crimes of opportunity, increasingly carried out by younger, less "professional" criminals, and are more violent than in the past.

The National Citizens' Observatory, a think tank, reported on June 27, that kidnappings in Mexico increased by 17 percent in the first quarter of compared with the last quarter of The Mexican government had reported a decline in kidnappings until it stopped publishing statistics on ths category of crime in April Review the sections above on personal property and personal safety for common sense actions you can take to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

Information that can be used against victims may also be obtained from social networking websites. Calls are often placed by prison inmates using smuggled cellular phones. In the event of such a call, it is important to stay calm, as the vast majority of these calls are hoaxes. Any kidnapping, real or virtual, should be reported to the police as well as to the Embassy or nearest consulate.

There have been reports of instances in which U. In addition to skimming, the risk of physical theft of credit or debit cards also exists. To prevent such theft, the Embassy recommends that travelers keep close track of their personal belongings and that they only carry what they need. Most restaurants and other businesses will bring the credit card machine to your table so that you can keep the card in your possession at all times.

If travelers choose to use credit cards, they should regularly check their account status to ensure there are no unauthorized transactions. Buses and Public Transportation: Whenever possible, visitors should travel by bus only during daylight hours and only by first-class conveyance. Although there have been several reports of bus hijackings and robberies on toll roads, buses on toll roads have experienced a markedly lower rate of incidents than second- and third-class buses that travel the less secure "free" highways.

Although the police have made progress in bringing this type of crime under control, armed robberies of entire busloads of passengers still occur, including recent armed robberies of local commuter buses traveling within Mexico City. There was one recent incident involving the placement of contraband under a bus seat of an unwitting U.

Be sure to check around and under your seat and immediately report any items that do not belong to you. Metro subway robberies are frequent in Mexico City, especially during peak travel times. If riding the metro or the city bus system, U.

Taxis: Robberies and assaults on passengers in "libre" taxis that is, taxis not affiliated with a taxi stand are frequent and violent in Mexico, with passengers subjected to beating, shooting, and sexual assault. When in need of a taxi, telephone a radio taxi or "sitio" regulated taxi stand — pronounced "C-T-O" , and ask the dispatcher for the driver's name and the taxi's license plate number. Ask the hotel concierge or other responsible individual to write down the license plate number of the cab you are taking.

Avoid "libre" taxis and the Volkswagen beetle taxis altogether. Although "libre" taxis are more convenient and less expensive, these are not as well regulated, may be unregistered, and are potentially more dangerous. Embassy employees in Mexico City are prohibited from using "libre" taxis, or any taxis hailed on the street, and are authorized to use only "sitio" taxis. Passengers arriving at any airport in Mexico should take only authorized airport taxis after pre-paying the fare at one of the special booths located and well publicized inside the airport.

Mexican authorities have cooperated in investigating such cases, but one must have the officer's name, badge number, and patrol car number to pursue a complaint effectively. Please note this information if you have a problem with police or other officials. In addition, tourists should be wary of persons representing themselves as police officers or immigration or other officials. When in doubt, ask for identification. Be aware that offering a bribe to a public official to avoid a ticket or other penalty is a crime in Mexico.

One extortion technique, known as the " grandparent scam ", involves calls placed by persons alleging to be attorneys or U. The caller asks for a large sum of money to ensure the subject's release. When the recipient of the call checks on their family member, they discover that the entire story is false. If the alleged detainee cannot be located in the U.

Embassy or nearest U. Consulate for assistance in determining if they have been detained by authorities. Further information on international financial scams is available on our website. Beware of possible scams involving inflated prices for tourist-related goods and services and avoid patronizing restaurants and other service providers that do not have clearly listed prices. You should check with your hotel for the names of reputable establishments and service providers in the area.

When using credit cards for payment you should try to maintain direct visibility of the person swiping the card in the machine to protect against credit card skimming. Sexual Assault: Rape and sexual assault continue to be serious problems in resort and other areas. Many of these incidents occur at night or during the early morning hours, in hotel rooms, or on deserted beaches. Acquaintance rape is a serious problem. Hotel workers, taxi drivers, and security personnel have been implicated in many cases.

Women should avoid being alone, particularly in isolated areas and at night. It is imperative that victims file a police report, which should include a rape "kit" exam, against the perpetrator s as soon as possible at the nearest police station.

There have been several cases where the victim traveled back to the U. Some bars and nightclubs, especially in resort cities such as Cancun, Acapulco, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, and Tijuana, can be havens for drug dealers and petty criminals. Interaction with such individuals may put a traveler at risk. There have been instances of contamination or drugging of drinks to gain control over the patron. See the information under "Special Circumstances" below regarding Spring Break in Mexico if you are considering visiting Mexican resort areas between February and April, when thousands of U.

Additional information designed specifically for traveling students is also available on our Students Abroad website. Transnational Crime in Mexico: Mexican transnational criminal organizations TCOs are engaged in a violent struggle to control trafficking routes and other criminal activity. Recent attacks and persistent security concerns have prompted the U.

Embassy to urge U. For updated and more detailed information on these areas and the threats involved, please refer to the Travel Warning for Mexico.

TCOs have increasingly targeted unsuspecting individuals, who cross the border on a regular and predictable basis traveling between known destinations, as a way to transport drugs to the U. They affix drugs to the undercarriage of the traveler's car while it is parked in Mexico.

Once in the U. If you are a frequent border crosser, you should vary your routes and travel times as well as closely monitor your vehicle to avoid being targeted. Criminal Penalties While in a foreign country, an individual is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which can differ significantly from those in the United States — and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.

Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Mexican laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs in Mexico are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. If you break local laws in Mexico, your U. It is very important to know what is legal and what is illegal wherever you go.

If arrested in Mexico, a U. Within this framework, U. Sexual Crimes: Sexual exploitation of children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. Soliciting sexual services of a minor is illegal in Mexico, and is punishable by imprisonment. The Mexican government has announced an aggressive program to discourage sexual tourism.

Police authorities in the state of Baja California recently began enforcement of anti-pedophile legislation. Firearms Penalties: Illegal firearms trafficking from the United States into Mexico is a major problem and the Mexican government has strict laws prohibiting the importation of weapons.

The Department of State warns all U. Entering Mexico with a firearm, certain types of knives, or even a single round of ammunition is illegal, even if the weapon or ammunition is taken into Mexico unintentionally.

The Mexican government strictly enforces laws restricting the entry of firearms and ammunition along all land borders and at airports and seaports, and routinely x-rays all incoming luggage. Travelers are strongly advised to thoroughly inspect all belongings prior to travel to Mexico to avoid the accidental import of ammunition or firearms. The process for temporarily importing a hunting weapon or ammunition into Mexico is complicated and, if handled incorrectly can result in imprisonment and confiscation of the weapon and any ammunition.

The U. Embassy in Mexico recommends prospective hunters obtain the services of a licensed shooting or hunting club for help in importing any firearm or ammunition, which require separate permits. Prohibited weapons and calibers are all those identified by Mexican law as reserved for "the exclusive use of the Mexican military.

Allowed hand gun calibers are. Allowed long guns are: rifles no larger than. Vessels entering Mexican waters with firearms or ammunition on board must have a permit previously issued by the Mexican Embassy or a Mexican consulate. One possible explanation is the common mistaken belief that the United States and Mexico do not have an extradition treaty. Under that assumption, any American felon who manages to step across the border would not have to worry about setting foot in prison ever again.

In truth, the United States and Mexico do have a bilateral extradition treaty, first signed in Since the early s, the number of fugitives that Mexico has sent back to U. Between and , more than 2, criminals were captured and returned to the United States for prosecution, according to U. Marshals data. Once criminals cross the border successfully, they may think themselves in the clear, but the federal government has means of tracking them to determine where they've been and where they might be going.

Cameras, face-detection technology and license plate readers along the border can identify fugitives and their vehicles. Most non-Mexican criminals tend to stay close to the border after all, as they're more likely to stand out as they travel deeper into Mexican territory. Criminals also may sabotage their own efforts at escape by using technology, particularly when their devices give away their whereabouts.

In for example, Wanda Lee Ann Podgurski , convicted of disability and insurance fraud earlier that year, was apprehended in Mexico after tweeting "Catch me if you can. Marshals declined to disclose how exactly they tracked down Podgurski, the district attorney involved in the case hinted that the tweet played a role.

The most likely explanation is that authorities used the tweet to access her IP address , allowing law enforcement to pinpoint her real-world location. The U. Marshals Service, which has a task force dedicated to finding and capturing criminals on the lam, leads efforts on this side of the border to capture felons fleeing south. Dual nationality is legally recognized in Mexico. However, citizens of Mexican origin are considered to be Mexican citizens under the judicial system.

It is important that you declare yourself being a Canadian citizen as well at the time of your arrest and when giving your statement. The Embassy of Canada might not be notified and may therefore be limited in its ability to provide you with consular services if you have only identified yourself as a Mexican citizen, and therefore considered by Mexican authorities to be a Mexican citizen. See Travelling as a dual citizen for more information. Under the new Mexican criminal system, pre-trial detention is an exception.

Pre-trial detention is only ordered for serious offenses such as voluntary homicide, rape, fraud, organized crime, drug related, kidnapping, violent crime using weapons and explosives, and crime against homeland security. Pre-trial detention will also be applied in cases of crimes where other preventive measures are not sufficient to guarantee:. Detention will also occur if the accused is caught in the act or there is a warrant for the arrest, whether the crime is serious or not.

For certain offences considered not serious, the Ministerio Publico will first arrange for a mediation unit to help the parties resolve their conflict usually by payment of restitution money to avoid having to go to trial. If you are arrested, the police will take you to the Ministerio Publico who will determine what kind of offence you committed and if it warrants pre-trial detention. The Ministerio Publico has a 48 hours deadline in which to make this determination. If the deadline is not met, you will be released, but you may have to comply with one or several preventive measures imposed by the judge, such as the following list is not exhaustive :.

A preliminary hearing is conducted to determine whether there is enough evidence to require a trial. At the preliminary hearing, the pre-trial judge or control judge Juez de Control ensures that you are informed of your fundamental rights throughout the criminal proceeding, including the right to be represented by legal counsel. You will be asked to provide a statement or you may state your wish not to do so.

The pre-trial judge sets a deadline for the closing of the investigation, which should not exceed two months for crimes deserving a maximum imprisonment of 2 years and up to 6 months for crimes punishable by over 2 years of imprisonment.

The foregoing does not mean that the defendant cannot be arrested. In the new adversarial system, the parties present evidence directly and orally before the court. Opportunities to examine and cross-examine evidence and witnesses occur in an open and transparent manner. The judge must be present at all hearings and will make a decision based on the merits of the evidence presented before him or her. Before the trial begins, the intermediate preparatory phase of the Oral Proceeding is initiated.

Its purpose is to review the admission of evidence, as well as the purging of facts in dispute that are the matter of the Oral Proceeding. Following the oral proceedings, the judge shall order a recess to deliberate privately in order to pronounce the judgment. Within 10 days following the notification of the judgment, the parties may present a written appeal to the judge who pronounced the judgment.

Its intent is to protect your rights under the Mexican Constitution if you are accused of a crime. At any point during the trial, your lawyer may propose filing an amparo if he or she considers that your rights are not being respected.

There are two types of amparo. The second type of amparo is filed after the first appeal and is based on the sentence. If it succeeds, it could result in a release or a reduction of sentence. Before you decide whether or not to file an amparo, it is important that you ask your lawyer to explain what it is and how it works so that you can understand whether it would be useful or not in your trial, the additional time involved in resolving your case, and how it would impact on your legal fees.

When the maximum possible sentence is less than two years, the judge has up to four months to reach a verdict. When the maximum possible sentence is more than two years, the judge has up to one year to reach a verdict.

Nevertheless, there are several factors that can impact on the duration of a trial and result in a timeframe in excess of the prescribed time limits. Amparo proceedings, translation, and changes in legal representation can all create delays, which are sometimes quite lengthy.

Likewise, delays can occur when witnesses do not appear after being subpoenaed.