# Police extortion and economic impact in Tijuana

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/police-extortion-and-economic-impact-in-tijuana
> Updated: 2026-09-07T22:23:32.000Z. Sources: 51. Developments: 2.

Reports regarding police extortion in Tijuana have shown conflicting trends. Initially, the National Chamber of Commerce (CANACO) reported an 80% to 90% drop in extortion cases targeting drivers with United States license plates. This improvement was attributed to the use of police body cameras and new regulations regarding vehicle window tinting.

However, subsequent reports from CANACO indicated a severe economic downturn, with tourism and sales for formal businesses dropping by approximately 60% to 70%. This decline was linked to ongoing insecurity and frequent vehicle towing, which reportedly caused visitors to avoid Tijuana and neighboring regions such as Rosarito and Ensenada.

## Claims

- The criminal network specialized in cargo transport theft, extortion, and kidnapping on the Puebla-Veracruz highway. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Nine people were arrested in connection with a criminal structure involved in cargo theft, vehicle theft, extortion, and kidnapping. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Authorities seized 35 firearms, including two Barrett rifles, 52 magazines, tactical clothing, and 11 vehicles. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Authorities executed 23 simultaneous search warrants in the municipality of Esperanza, Puebla. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The criminal network dedicated to cargo transport theft had been operating for several years. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The leader of the Los Zúñiga organization, Genaro N, was arrested on August 15 in Cuitláhuac, Veracruz. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Isaac Rodríguez Ochoa, the mayor of Esperanza, Puebla, was arrested. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The law enforcement action was conducted under the name ‘Operativo Enjambre’. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-07: Esperanza Mayor arrested in Puebla crime crackdown

The mayor of Esperanza, Puebla, and eight others, including a former security director, were arrested in ‘Operativo Enjambre’ for alleged involvement in cargo theft, extortion, and kidnapping.

51 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tijuana-tourism-and-sales-drop-70-amid-police-extortion-claims

### 2026-08-10: Tijuana reports 80% drop in extortion of US-plated vehicle drivers

Extortion of drivers with US license plates in Tijuana has dropped by up to 90% due to the use of police body cameras and new window tinting regulations.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tijuana-reports-80-drop-in-extortion-of-us-plated-vehicle-drivers

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Cite as: Police extortion and economic impact in Tijuana. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/police-extortion-and-economic-impact-in-tijuana