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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [CRIME]

3 clusters · 25 sources · 33 days · First seen · Last updated

Mexico crackdown on illicit cigarettes

Overview

Mexican authorities have intensified a multi‑agency campaign against illicit tobacco throughout 2026. After seizing about 60,000 packs at AIFA airport in early July, customs, the Navy and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection intercepted nearly three million cigarettes (4,031 kg) at Mexico City International Airport on 2 August, confirming a broader effort that has already secured more than 156 tonnes of contraband tobacco in 2025‑2026.

The operation continued on 6 August when the National Customs Agency (ANAM) uncovered a shipment in Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, containing roughly 9.95 million counterfeit cigarettes that had been misdeclared as drinking glasses. The haul, sourced from an Asian exporter, underscores the scale of the smuggling network and the ongoing reliance on intelligence‑driven risk analysis, document review and physical inspection.

ANAM officials also highlighted internal challenges, noting the need to migrate 64 legacy tax‑authority (SAT) systems to a new customs platform—a process projected to take up to 11 years. The agency’s dual focus remains on strengthening enforcement while modernising its digital infrastructure to improve trade facilitation and protect public health, the formal economy and intellectual‑property rights.

Entities

Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC) · Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM) · Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México · China and South Korea · Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana

Timeline

  1. 5 days ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Mexico's Customs Agency Seizes 10 Million Illicit Cigarettes and Flags Digitalization Gaps

    ANAM seized nearly 10 million illicit cigarettes in Michoacán and admitted ongoing digital‑system migration delays after splitting from the tax authority.

  2. 9 days ago

    [CRIME] 21 sources
    Mexico seizes nearly 3 million illicit cigarettes at Mexico City airport

    Mexico’s ANAM, Marina and SSPC seized 4,031 kg (≈2.9 million) illegal cigarettes at the AICM on 2 Aug 2026, part of a wider crackdown on illicit tobacco.

  3. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources
    Mexico and US seize 60,000 cigarette packs at AIFA

    Mexican customs seized 60,000 hidden cigarette packs at AIFA after real‑time data sharing with U.S. CBP, initiating legal action and underscoring joint anti‑illicit‑trade efforts.

Sources

cafenegroportal.com · codigoqro.mx · diarioamanecer.com.mx · diariodemorelos.com · diariomarca.com.mx · eldia.com.do · eldiariodechihuahua.mx · eltecolote.mx · ensemblepourlaville.be · estamosaqui.mx · excelsior.com.mx · fultonsports.com · joaoantoniomotta.blogosfera.uol.com.br · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · laopinion.com · lineasemergentes.mx · mast-jaegermeister.co.uk · noticias.radiorama.mx · oncenoticias.digital · panamahoy.com.pa · paralympics.org.uk · reportur.com · rupla.fi · tvmax-9.com · xeu.mx

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history