In a small town in Michoacán, Mexico, a criminal group extorted residents to pay for high-cost internet or face death. Authorities raided properties, finding evidence of this scheme. Security analyst David Saucedo explains that drug cartels often engage in various criminal activities beyond drug trafficking, such as fuel theft, extortion, and smuggling. Cartels like Sinaloa and CJNG are involved in multiple illegal ventures to make profits. Fuel theft, avocado industry extortion, and tortilla shops extortion are some ways cartels extend their reach, impacting prices and safety. In Toluca, the Familia Michoacana cartel extorted poultry vendors, leading to kidnappings and financial losses. Businesses in Mexico City face cobro de piso, protection fees charged by cartels. Despite some arrests, extortion continues as merchants fear reporting due to lack of trust in authorities. Criminal organizations target a wide range of businesses, leading to a profitable activity in Mexico City’s densely populated area with a large informal economy. This widespread extortion activity poses a significant challenge for businesses and authorities, contributing to the overall security and economic challenges faced in Mexico due to the organized crime activities of drug cartels.
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