The surveillance cameras, which were originally installed to deter crime on the streets and provide greater security to the population, are being exploited by organized crime to spy on the Armed Forces and rival groups. According to data from the Security Cabinet, only in the period from October to March of this year, 1,522 'narcocameras' were removed from public spaces in the country. Additionally, the Secretary of the Navy removed 380 surveillance cameras from ports and coastal areas that were used for 'narcoespionage.'
National security expert, René Cáceres, pointed out that in the last six months around 2,319 'narcocameras' have been dismantled in states where organized crime has a greater presence, such as Sinaloa, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Veracruz, State of Mexico, San Luis Potosí, Chiapas, and Sonora. In the state of Sinaloa, where groups like 'Chapitos' and 'Mayiza' are in conflict, the highest number of fake camera removals has been recorded.
In particular, the municipality of Culiacán, Sinaloa, has been identified as the most monitored place by organized crime. In the first two months of this year, 562 'narcocameras' were removed from that area. Other municipalities, such as Mazatlán and Navolato, have also been monitored, with the Armed Forces confiscating counterfeit surveillance cameras.
In addition to Sinaloa, Tijuana in Baja California and Cajamar and Navojoa in Sonora are areas of the country that have been subject to surveillance by criminal groups. Recently, 125 'narcocameras' were dismantled in Tijuana. In Sonora, on March 6, 45 cameras and 17 repeater antennas were removed from public spaces. In León, Guanajuato, an individual was detained with espionage equipment in his possession.
'Narcoespionage' is used for intelligence and counterintelligence tasks, as well as to plan crimes such as robberies, kidnappings, and locating individuals, in addition to possible counterattacks against rivals and authorities. National security expert, René Cáceres, emphasized the importance of dismantling not only the cameras but also the centers from which they are controlled.
Cáceres called for strengthening the security of institutional surveillance systems to prevent hacking by organized crime that could compromise the information and monitoring carried out by the authorities. It is essential to prevent potential technological security problems in this area.
