Baja California’s Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC), the state public security agency, has provisionally closed private security company SIA in Tijuana after an investigation revealed multiple regulatory violations tied to a violent break-in last week.
Three SIA guards were arrested on March 26 after they forced their way into a warehouse and recycling business in the Soler neighborhood while carrying firearms. The tenant called 911 to report that the armed men entered without authorization and damaged the property.
Inspection Reveals Registration and Weapons Irregularities
A follow-up inspection by the SSC uncovered serious compliance failures at SIA. The three guards involved in the break-in had been registered as company employees on the same day as the incident, raising questions about their vetting and training. Their firearms were not listed on SIA’s official weapons inventory, a requirement under Baja California’s private security regulations.
Inspectors also found that SIA lacked state authorization to provide personal protection and escort services, despite apparently offering those services. Authorities placed closure seals on the company’s premises pending further administrative or legal action.
A Longstanding Problem in Baja California
The case fits a pattern that has plagued Baja California’s private security industry for years. Mexico’s national estimates have placed the rate of unlicensed or non-compliant security firms as high as 80 percent. In Baja California, the SSC’s Specialized Private Security Services Department for the Coastal Zone has been running an ongoing compliance campaign, shuttering multiple firms in recent months for operating without proper permits or with unregistered weapons.
Private security companies in Mexico must register every employee and every firearm with the state. They must also hold specific permits for each type of service they offer, whether it is static guard duty, personal protection, or armed escort. Operating outside those permits is a violation that can lead to closure and criminal referrals.
What This Means for Businesses in Tijuana
For business owners and property managers in Tijuana who contract private security, the SIA case is a reminder to verify a firm’s state registration before signing any contract. The SSC maintains records of licensed companies, and clients can request proof of employee registration and weapons permits. Hiring a non-compliant firm can expose clients to legal liability if guards cause harm or property damage.
The SSC’s coastal zone enforcement unit has indicated that its inspections will continue. The original report was published by Jornada BC.