CHIHUAHUA, Mexico — The Federal Prosecutor’s Office (FGR) has officially opened an investigation into allegations of systemic bribery and abuses occurring at checkpoints along the critical transport corridor connecting the cities of Chihuahua and Ciudad Juárez.

The investigation was launched following a formal complaint submitted by Senator Nora Elena Yu Hernández. The complaint, backed by testimony from transport operators, details a pattern of extortion where drivers are allegedly forced to pay bribes of up to 20,000 pesos to continue their journeys.

According to the official documentation, the alleged abuses are concentrated at several inspection points, most notably near Precos (Samalayuca) and Villa Ahumada. Reports suggest that drivers are subjected to delays and intimidation, with some being told they would face heavy fines or have their cargo seized unless they provide immediate cash payments.

The FGR is investigating these incidents as potential crimes of cohecho (bribery), which are prohibited under the Federal Penal Code. The Prosecutor’s Office has requested specific details regarding the dates, times, and precise locations of the incidents to identify and prosecute those responsible.

This legal action follows a series of public complaints from the National Confederation of Mexican Transporters (Conatram). Transport representatives have previously reported “unofficial” checkpoints where individuals in unmarked vehicles—purportedly posing as security personnel—intercept cargo trucks. These operators have warned that such practices not only jeopardize the safety of the transport industry but also severely hinder the movement of goods across the region.