Criminals Hijack 33 Tons Gold, Silver Concentrate Mexico

In 2025, a truck carrying 33 tons of gold and silver concentrate belonging to Grupo Minero Bacis was hijacked by armed criminals on a highway near Guadalajara, Mexico, highlighting a significant surge in cargo thefts in the country. The assailants blocked the truck with two vehicles, held the driver and security guards hostage for over an hour, and stole the trailer containing the precious metals, which were valued in the millions of dollars. Although the tractor-trailer was later recovered, the trailer and its valuable cargo remain missing. Grupo Minero Bacis, led by José Jaime Gutiérrez Núñez, called the theft a major disaster, emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures and technological improvements in the mining sector’s transportation systems. This incident coincides with a 30% increase in highway robberies in Mexico in early 2025, with an attempted robbery occurring every 50 minutes, often linked to organized crime groups such as the Cartel Jalisco New Generation. The event underscores ongoing challenges in securing Mexico’s mining industry amid rising precious metal prices and persistent cartel violence.