Trucking companies from Tamaulipas continue to report extortion of up to 500,000 pesos while traveling through municipalities in Nuevo León. In addition to alleged abuses involving traffic authorities and towing companies, drivers now claim they are encountering suspected checkpoints operated by individuals posing as state prosecutors, according to Armando Yuseff Martínez Saleh, president of the National Chamber of Freight Transportation (CANACAR) in southern Tamaulipas.
The business leader stated that the situation has worsened in recent weeks, particularly at the Linares phytosanitary inspection checkpoint, where, according to his account, a group of individuals known as “madrinas” has been setting up checkpoints and stopping truck drivers and motorists without properly identifying themselves as public officials.
Martínez Saleh said these individuals inspect documents such as license plates and vehicle registration cards, despite the fact that, according to him, such inspections do not fall within the legal authority of the State Prosecutor’s Office.
He also alleged that some truck drivers have been detained for several hours and, in some cases, have been victims of suspected express kidnappings, remaining in custody until transportation companies transfer the amounts demanded for their release.
The CANACAR representative further claimed that the extortion schemes also involve towing services, alleging that trucks are towed and held until owners pay fees that, in some cases, reach 500,000 pesos.
For this reason, he described the alleged operation as an extortion network he referred to as the “Blue Cartel,” claiming that traffic authorities and towing companies are involved.
Martínez Saleh stated that trucking organizations have repeatedly filed complaints with state and municipal authorities in Nuevo León. However, he argued that while official actions temporarily reduce the problem, the alleged extortion schemes reappear weeks later with greater intensity.
Finally, he called on the authorities in Nuevo León to intervene in order to guarantee the safety of truck drivers and put an end to the alleged extortion practices that, he said, affect the freight transportation industry on a daily basis.
Source: hoytamaulipas
