Costa Maya, Q.R. — The Mexican Navy says they are maintaining coordinated work to tighten surveillance against smuggling in the south. Vice Admiral Marco Antonio Muñoz Hernández, Commander of the Eleventh Naval Zone of Chetumal, says they are working with groups to stop illegal contraband from entering Quintana Roo.
The Navy is working with the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Citizen Security (SSC) and authorities from the Government of Belize on increased surveillance. Authorities are surveilling areas of Chetumal Bay and Costa Maya for smuggling known to occur in various areas along the Rio Hondo.
According to the Vice Admiral, their surveillance has already led to the seizure of vehicles, boats and various products smugglers have attempted to bring into Quintana Roo.
“Since we took over the Zone we’ve been instructed to strengthen and increase the presence of troops in the Río Hondo, who are carrying out daily tasks and who are joining the efforts also being made by the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Citizen Security and the Municipal Police.
“We all have excellent coordination, and thanks to the efforts of each institution, we were able to seize significant amounts of merchandise that entered illegally. Our efforts were redirected and the same is true on the Belizean side, where we are also working excellently.”
He explained that, although the knockoff items most commonly entering Mexican territory are cigarettes, shoes, bags, clothing, and perfumes, they are also focusing on drug and human trafficking originating from Central America.
He emphasized surveillance and patrols are ongoing 24 hours a day, especially around the border bridge where there is slightly more activity.
“Everything is related to trafficking. We’ve seen the case of merchandise recently, vehicles used for the illicit transport of those goods and smaller vessels also being used, but we’re very concerned and interested in the issue of drug, arms and human trafficking.
“That’s why we’re working on intelligence to better target operations and achieve better results. Surveillance is ongoing 24 hours a day,” he said.
To date, he says they have seized 14 vehicles, 21 small boats along with the merchandise. He added that they have increased the number of operations in the border region in order to act with greater precision and achieve more and better results, ensuring security in areas of high value to the country.
The illegal merchandise being seized often originates in Belize and is bound to be sold in Mexico. Authorities have been working to stop the illicit trafficking between the two countries.
