Mexico averages 143 kidnapping cases per month

Mexico averages 143 kidnapping cases per month

2011-11-01 19:48:31 GMT+7 (ICT)

MEXICO CITY (BNO NEWS) -- Mexico's Public Security Department (SSP) on Tuesday confirmed that more than 3,000 cases of kidnapping have been reported to authorities in the last 21 months alone.

SSP chief Genaro Garcia Luna said that between January 2010 to September 2011, federal and state authorities have reported a total of 3,114 kidnapping cases.

The announcement was made at Mexico's National Palace during the 31st Public Security Congress. Garcia detailed that 1,356 people were kidnapped and later freed in 2010 while another 1,254 were freed during the current year.

As a result, 1,744 and 1,271 people were arrested on kidnapping related charges in 2010 and 2011 respectively, representing an average of 143 kidnapping arrests per month. While kidnapping and extortion continues to be a relatively common threat throughout the country, Garcia said 446 kidnapping gangs or organizations were captured, with an average of 21 per month.

Meanwhile, also during the congress, National Statistics and Geography Institute (INEGI) President Eduardo Sojo said that according to studies, 24 percent of Mexican adults have been the victim of a crime.

The insecurity survey conducted by INEGI showed that during 2010, more than 22 million crimes were committed, but only 8 percent of those crimes were reported to authorities. This means more than 20 million crimes were not reported, mostly as public opinion has shown little or no trust in the Mexican justice system.

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