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FGR Launches Investigation into Checkpoint Abuses on Juárez-Chihuahua Highway
CHIHUAHUA. The Attorney General’s Office (FGR) has initiated an investigation into alleged bribery and extortion at checkpoints on the highway between Ciudad Juárez and Chihuahua. This probe follows numerous complaints from truckers claiming they were forced to pay up to 20,000 pesos to continue their journeys.
The investigation, filed under the case number FED/CHIH/JUA/0002178/2026, was opened on October 9, 2026, in response to a formal complaint from Senator Nora Elena Yu Hernández. The FGR is seeking to identify those responsible for these illicit activities.
The Allegations: Truckers Faced with Demands and Delays
According to the information provided by Senator Yu Hernández, complaints have centered on three specific checkpoints near Precos, in Samalayuca. These checkpoints are reportedly operated by the National Guard, the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), and the FGR itself.
Truckers have reported not only extensive delays and thorough inspections but also direct demands for payments, sometimes as high as 20,000 pesos. Those who refused to pay allegedly faced threats of fines or impoundment of their vehicles.
The FGR has stated that these actions could constitute bribery, as defined in Article 222, Section I, of the Federal Penal Code. The agency has requested more precise details from Senator Yu Hernández regarding the time, manner, and location of these incidents to facilitate the identification of potential culprits and advance the investigation.
A History of Complaints: Checkpoints and Alleged Extortion
This is not the first time that such allegations have surfaced. The highway between Chihuahua and Juárez has a long history of complaints regarding checkpoints and alleged abuses:
- August 12, 2026: Édgar Olivas, delegate of the National Confederation of Mexican Transporters (Conatram), publicly denounced that agents at checkpoints on the Chihuahua-Juárez highway were demanding up to 20,000 pesos from cargo operators. He also mentioned instances where individuals in unmarked vans, posing as agents, would inspect documents and threaten fines or vehicle retention.
- November 23, 2025: El Diario de Juárez reported the testimony of an anonymous passenger who claimed to regularly pay money at a checkpoint at kilometer 301 in Samalayuca, where agents identified themselves as FGR personnel.
- September 22, 2025: El Diario de Juárez reported a 1.5-kilometer traffic jam due to delays at the Precos military post (kilometer 310, near Samalayuca), which involves elements from the National Defense Secretariat and the National Guard.
- March 2026: Readers reported another half-kilometer queue at Precos.
- August 11, 2026: A citizen reported undergoing three separate inspections between Chihuahua and Juárez: one by the FGR at kilometer 92, another by the SSPC after the Ahumada toll booth, and a third at Precos by the National Guard. While he complained about delays and treatment, he did not report demands for money.
- August 14, 2026: Thor Salayandía, coordinator of the Border Business Bloc, questioned the legality of checkpoints allegedly operated by the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) and criticized the lack of public information regarding their results.
- October 3, 2026: El Diario de Juárez reported that the National Guard deployed personnel to Villa Ahumada following a complaint about alleged criminal checkpoints targeting truckers.
It is important to note that while some complaints refer to official checkpoints, others describe instances of individuals posing as authorities to extort money. The FGR’s current investigation focuses on abuses at checkpoints operated by official institutions, omitting the broader issue of criminal elements operating similar schemes.
The Impact on Transport and Public Trust
These allegations of extortion and abuse at official checkpoints have significant implications for the transport industry, leading to increased operational costs and delays. More broadly, they erode public trust in law enforcement and government institutions responsible for ensuring safety and order on the roads.
The FGR’s decision to open an investigation is a crucial step towards addressing these long-standing issues and holding accountable those who exploit their positions for personal gain. The outcome of this investigation will be closely watched by transporters, citizens, and public officials alike, as it could set a precedent for transparency and accountability in the region’s law enforcement practices.
Source: https://impactonoticias.com.mx/estatal/abre-fgr-expediente-por-abusos-en-retenes-de-la-carretera-entre-ciudad-juarez-y-chihuahua/
