In an increasingly challenging logistics environment, Onest Smart Logistics shared its expertise in areas such as technology and security during a tour of its facilities in Tultitlán, State of Mexico. José Antonio García Trejo, the company’s Director of New Business Development, noted that security is not only a priority, but an urgent necessity given the increase in cargo thefts in Mexico .

According to figures from the Mexican Association of Private Security Companies and Satellite Industry (Amesis) , in 2024, 15,937 cargo transport robberies were recorded nationwide, which represented an increase of 9.15% and 9.18% compared to 2023. García Trejo pointed out that this phenomenon has directly impacted the company and its transport partners, which has motivated a profound transformation in its reaction and prevention capabilities.

Among its strategies are partnerships with technology developers to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its operations. These tools enable predictive routing, machine learning, and safer guidance for operators . Additionally, units have been equipped with smart sensors capable of blocking power flow, automatically closing doors, and issuing SOS alerts without human intervention, all of which seek to reduce risk in critical situations.

Beyond merchandise, the company has expanded its focus to protecting physical assets and, above all, operators, as insecurity has discouraged new generations of operators, he said.

“Each lost unit represents millions of pesos and an operational tragedy, especially in a country with a shortage of operators,” García emphasized.

With more than 40 partner transport lines, equivalent to a fleet of approximately 250 vehicles, Onest Smart Logistics makes nearly 3,000 trips per year . Although this figure represents a fraction of its installed capacity, the company is determined to scale its transportation operations proportionally to its 600,000 square meters (m²) of warehouse space, always with safety as its fundamental pillar.

Security in three parts

For his part, Carlos Gutiérrez Chávez, Transportation Security Manager at Onest Smart Logistics, presented the comprehensive protection model that the company has developed to address the challenges of freight transportation in Mexico, and explained that it is based on an 80-15-5 approach: 80% prevention, 15% reaction, and 5% recovery .

He also noted that security is a joint effort and emphasized the importance of collaboration with the C5 (National Guard), the National Guard , and municipal police. However, he indicated that public patrols are not enough: the key is to anticipate by analyzing routes, schedules, types of cargo, and crime patterns by area .

Regarding the highest-risk routes, he indicated that although the so-called “red triangle,” which encompasses Puebla, Tlaxcala, and Veracruz, continues to be mentioned, the State of Mexico currently represents the main source of danger.

“Security is not reaction, it is prevention, intelligence, and humanity,” Gutiérrez Chávez emphasized.

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Highway insecurity is one of the main challenges for trucking companies in Mexico. Ricardo Torres, CEO of THR Transportes , acknowledged that the problem has intensified and that companies have been forced to modify their operations to reduce risks .

“It’s an undeniable fact that insecurity has increased exponentially, and we’ve had to redefine routes, schedules, and stops, change some routes, ban some others, and plan ahead to avoid becoming victims,” ​​the executive said in an interview with T21.

He explained that this is not a situation exclusive to transportation, but rather to society as a whole, but in the case of the sector, it has a direct impact on daily operations .

“Insecurity is a problem that affects everyone, not just transportation, but everyday life. We’re not going to end it, but some strategies are being implemented. As the saying goes: we do what we can,” he emphasized.

Faced with this environment, companies are strengthening the training of operators and monitoring personnel , in addition to investing in security technologies. Torres explained that they have implemented “all the telemetry and camera devices to mitigate the impact of the insecurity that is profoundly affecting us in this sector.”

In the second quarter of 2025,  82%  of incidents were committed with violence, and 65% occurred while vehicles were moving. Puebla and the State of Mexico  accounted for 43.5% of the national incidence , according to  Overhaul data .

The vulnerability of transportation, Torres explained, places it in a critical position within the logistics chain: “I think we’re the most vulnerable link in the entire supply chain. Transportation is the eye that criminals always have on their radar.”

In this context, security measures represent an additional cost that directly impacts companies’ profitability, but they have become essential to maintaining service continuity and meeting delivery commitments.

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