Man Arrested for Attempting to Smuggle Marijuana into Mexico City Prison
Mexico City, August 28 – Custodians from the Undersecretary of the Penitentiary System of the Mexico City Citizen Security Secretariat (SSC) arrested a 53-year-old man on August 27 for attempting to introduce marijuana into the Reclusorio Preventivo Varonil Oriente, located in the San Lorenzo Tezonco neighborhood, Iztapalapa borough. The man had concealed the illicit substance within the insoles of his sneakers. He was subsequently handed over to the Public Ministry, who will determine his legal status.
Further investigation revealed that the detained individual had a previous entry into the Mexico City Penitentiary System in 2008 for the crime of qualified homicide, as confirmed by the SSC in an official statement.
Evasive Behavior Leads to Discovery
The incident occurred while custodians were conducting routine security checks on visitors entering the prison. The man’s evasive demeanor and visible discomfort while awaiting his turn to enter raised suspicion among the surveillance personnel stationed at the penitentiary’s access point.
Consequently, officers escorted the man to the access area and performed a security inspection in strict adherence to police protocols and human rights. It was during this inspection that the hidden substance was discovered within his footwear.
Upon his detention, the police informed him of his constitutional rights. He was then transferred, along with the confiscated marijuana, to the corresponding Public Ministry agent, who is now responsible for the proceedings to define his legal situation.
Marijuana and Insoles Weighed 199 Grams
The marijuana was found pressed inside the black insoles of the man’s sneakers. The custodians weighed the insoles, recording a combined weight of 199 grams. The SSC did not specify the exact proportion of the substance versus the material of the insoles themselves.
This method of concealment aimed to circumvent the security filters established at the penitentiary. Access controls for visitors in Mexico City’s prisons include physical inspections and protocols designed to prevent the entry of unauthorized objects and substances.
In addition, the cross-referencing of information after the arrest indicated that the 53-year-old man had prior contact with the Mexico City Penitentiary System, with a record dating back to 2008 related to qualified homicide. The SSC did not provide further details regarding this antecedent or the detainee’s relationship with any incarcerated individual at Reclusorio Oriente.
Similar Incidents at Reclusorio Oriente in Early 2026
This incident is not isolated. On March 30, custodians at the same prison detected two women, aged 34 and 53, exhibiting nervous behavior during visitor access reviews. They were directed to separate cubicles for inspection. In each case, a transparent bag with adhesive tape containing a green, dry herb consistent with marijuana was found hidden between their underwear and abdomen. Both women were presented to the Public Ministry.
Weeks later, on April 5, custodians apprehended a third woman, aged 34, at the same access point. The drug, also consistent with marijuana, was concealed between her underwear and legs within a plastic bag. In this instance, the SSC did not report the exact weight of the seized substance or whether the detainee had prior criminal records. All three cases were handed over to the Public Ministry for legal determination.
