Prosecutors reported that a cartel in the troubled state of Michoacán in central Mexico established makeshift internet antennas and demanded payment from residents in order to use their wifi service, threatening death if they did not comply.
The media has coined the term “narco-antennas” for the cartel’s system, which includes internet antennas placed in different towns using stolen equipment.
According to the Michoacán state prosecutor’s office, a group of individuals charged around 5,000 people prices that were higher than normal, ranging from 400 to 500 pesos ($25 to $30) per month. This allowed the group to earn approximately $150,000 each month.
The prosecutors stated that individuals were coerced into paying exorbitant fees for internet services, with the threat of death if they refused. However, no deaths were reported.
The local press named the criminal organization as Los Viagras. Authorities did not disclose which drug cartel was involved due to an ongoing investigation, but they verified that Los Viagras controls the towns where residents are forced to pay for wifi services.
Last week, authorities confiscated some equipment and shared pictures of makeshift antennas, equipment piles, and routers labeled with Telmex, a Mexican internet company owned by influential businessman Carlos Slim. They also arrested one individual.
For many years, Mexican drug cartels have utilized a covert system of radio towers and makeshift internet in order to communicate and avoid detection by law enforcement.
However, according to Crisis Group’s Mexico analyst Falko Ernst, the exploitation of these towers to intimidate communities is indicative of a larger pattern in the nation.
According to Ernst, there are around 200 criminal groups operating in Mexico who are not only involved in drug trafficking, but also have a strong grip on other legal markets and services. He stated that these cartels have established “fiefdoms” as they have taken over significant areas of Mexico.
Ernst said gangs in some areas were charging taxes on basic foods and imported products, and noted they had also infiltrated Michoacán’s lucrative avocado business and lime markets as well as parts of local mining industries.
“It has evolved into a comprehensive game for them, not limited to any specific product or market. The focus now is on maintaining control through acts of violence,” stated Ernst. “The motive is no longer solely driven by drugs.”
Source: theguardian.com
