Baja California Attorney General Ma. Elena Andrade Ramírez and CANACO Mexicali president César Antonio Beltrán Badilla signed a collaboration agreement on May 18 to crack down on stolen vehicles and auto parts circulating through the region’s junkyards and dismantling shops.
Under the deal, prosecutors from the Fiscalía General del Estado (FGE), Baja California’s state attorney general’s office, will conduct periodic inspections of junkyards in the Mexicali area. During those visits, personnel will physically inspect vehicles and cross-check identification numbers against stolen vehicle databases.
How the Agreement Works
The pact goes both ways. CANACO, the National Chamber of Commerce (Cámara Nacional de Comercio), will receive guidance from the FGE on how to identify irregular parts and vehicles. Junkyard operators and used auto parts dealers will be trained to spot red flags that could indicate stolen property.
The agreement also expands a state outreach program called “Fiscal Enlace Contigo,” which creates direct communication lines between business owners and prosecutors. Through the program, businesses can report extortion, fraud, and other crimes through dedicated channels rather than navigating the standard reporting process.
Wider Context on Cross-Border Auto Theft
Vehicle theft remains a persistent issue along the U.S.-Mexico border. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 850,000 vehicles were stolen in the United States in 2024. Many of those vehicles end up in Mexico, where they are stripped for parts or resold. Mexicali, sitting directly across the border from Calexico, California, is a natural transit point for stolen vehicles moving south.
The used auto parts market in Mexicali serves as an affordable resource for car owners who need repairs. But the same market can also serve as a pipeline for stolen components, making oversight a challenge for local authorities.
Legislative Efforts Underway
The agreement comes alongside separate legislative efforts in Baja California’s state congress to classify auto parts theft as a standalone criminal offense. Currently, stealing individual auto parts can fall into gray areas under existing criminal statutes, making prosecution more difficult. A dedicated charge would give prosecutors a clearer legal tool.
For vehicle owners in the Mexicali area, the pact means increased scrutiny at junkyards and used parts shops. Buyers should expect to see more frequent inspection activity at these locations in the coming months.
Originally reported by The Baja Post.