R 280022Z FEB 09
FM AMCONSUL NOGALES
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4819
INFO AMCONSUL NOGALES

UNCLAS NOGALES 000056 
 
 
DEPT FOR DS/OSAC, DS/IP/WHA, EMBASSY FOR RSO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC PTER
SUBJECT: ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL CRIME AND SAFETY 
REPORT FOR NOGALES, SONORA, MEXICO 
 
REF: 08 STATE 168473 
 
 
¶I. (U) Overall Crime and Safety Situation: 
 
¶A. Crime Threats 
 
Nogales has experienced a significant increase in violent crimes 
in the past year. In calendar year 2008, in the City of Nogales 
alone (not the Nogales District or other areas of northern 
Sonora), there were 176 homicides. This contrasts with the 2007 
number of 52. Most of these homicides and many other crimes of 
violence are drug cartel-related and have occurred in diverse 
areas of the city where cartels own properties. Other drug 
cartel-related homicides and violence have occurred in other 
cities in the Consular District of Nogales. Non-drug 
cartel-related street crime (armed robberies, assaults, car 
thefts, burglaries, etc. continue at high rates, too. This 
combination accounts for the HIGH threat level for crime 
assigned to the U.S. Consulate in Nogales. 
 
There is no evidence to indicate that criminals are specifically 
targeting U.S. Citizens in the Consular District. Those crimes 
not drug cartel-related focus on soft targets, such as unwary 
tourists, residents who take no precautions to protect their 
homes, persons displaying evidence of prosperity, those who do 
not avoid dangerous areas, etc. Some Mexican members of the 
Nogales Consulate Staff have been victims of crime in the past 
year. Fortunately, these crimes did not result in harm or injury 
to the Staff members. Due to Mexican laws that prevent 
individual firearm ownership, the vast majority of firearms 
present in the Nogales Consular District are in the possession 
of law enforcement personnel or criminal elements. Much of the 
non-drug cartel-related crime is not committed with firearms, 
however, all drug cartel elements in the area possess countless 
firearms and use them when committing their crimes. At this 
time, the biggest crime concern for visitors to Nogales is being 
caught in the crossfire of drug cartel violence. 
 
¶B. Safety 
 
When in Nogales, visitors should understand that they are easily 
recognized as outsiders. While most Nogales natives observing 
visitors are doing so only out of curiosity, criminal elements 
will be looking for soft targets to take advantage of. Visitors 
should wear casual clothing as much as possible and not wear 
expensive jewelry or carry other expensive items that draw 
attention to themselves. 
 
Regarding transportation, when driving, avoid all panhandlers, 
who are present at many busy traffic intersections, business 
areas and the vehicle lines at the two ports of entry. Due to 
the nefarious actions of many taxi drivers and taxis not being 
maintained properly, it is highly recommended that visitors not 
use local taxis. Public buses are privately operated, poorly 
maintained and also points of opportunity for criminal elements- 
these vehicles, too, should be avoided. Inter-city tourist buses 
are better maintained and experience less crime than city buses, 
but are also not recommended for travel. Company or 
agency-provided transportation should be utilized when visitors 
are in Nogales on business. It is highly recommended that no 
night-time intercity travel be made in the Nogales Consular 
District and night-time travel in the city of Nogales made only 
when absolutely essential. If traveling to/from Hermosillo, 
Sonora, it is highly recommended that the traveler utilize 
Federal Highway 15, a mostly divided highway. This highway is 
patrolled by various police agencies and is maintained well. 
Travel to other cities in the Consular District has no toll road 
options, so caution must be exercised when traveling these 
roadways. 
 
II. (U) Political Violence: 
 
¶A. Civil Unrest 
 
In the last year, the Nogales Consular District had a civil 
unrest situation when the miners in Cananea went on a strike, 
which lasted several weeks. Also, in the fiscal corridor leading 
to the commercial Port of Entry of Mariposa, several truck 
drivers blocked the highway in protests to Mexican customs 
changes. 
 
¶B. Demonstrations 
 
American interests in Nogales have not been targets of political 
violence. No demonstrations have occurred in the past year. 
 
¶C. International Terrorism 
 
While it is believed that no Middle Eastern terrorist groups are 
currently operating in the Nogales Consular District or 
elsewhere in Mexico, lax immigration controls, the ease in which 
fraudulent Mexican travel documents can be obtained and Mexico's 
long border with the U.S. make it an attractive transit point 
for potential transnational terrorists. 
 
III. (U) Post Specific Concerns: 
 
¶A. Environmental 
 
During the rainy season (July to September), flooding of 
residential areas and city streets can occur in all cities in 
the Nogales Consular District. In Nogales, Blvd. Tecnologico is 
affected significantly- it can experience rushing water up to 
two feet deep in places, making the street inaccessible. Each 
rainy season, large sinkholes occur throughout the city, 
therefore, visitors should be wary when traveling roadways 
during the rainy season. 
 
¶B. Industrial and Transportation Accidents 
 
No known industrial accidents have occurred in the Nogales 
Consular District in the past year. There have been no 
extraordinary transportation accidents in the past year. 
 
¶C. Kidnappings 
 
While there have been kidnappings in the Nogales Consular 
District, none have involved Americans and few have occurred in 
the city of Nogales. Nearly all the kidnappings in the Consular 
District have been resulted in the murder of those kidnapped and 
have been drug cartel-related. 
 
¶D. Drugs and Narco-terrorism 
 
For the first few months of 2008, drug cartel activity produced 
few incidents of violence. In 2007, Mexican military personnel 
began counter-drug cartel operations along the smuggling routes 
of both Mexican coasts. Accordingly, much of that illicit drug 
smuggling has moved to the middle of the country, including the 
two ports of entry in Nogales. As a result, drug cartel-related 
violence in Nogales has increased exponentially in 2008, 
especially during the last eight months of the year. While 
nearly all of this violence has been between warring cartels, 
there have been innocent Mexicans caught in the crossfire. A 
very brazen attack on the Commander of the Sonora State Police 
occurred in November. During an extended visit to Nogales to 
direct efforts to combat drug cartel activity, the Commander was 
murdered at the hotel where he was residing. This murder was a 
tragic example of what happens to law enforcement leaders who 
battle the drug cartels and will not be co-opted by the enormous 
amounts of money offered as bribes to them or threats made by 
the cartels. Fortunately, all law enforcement agencies in Sonora 
have been responsive to U.S. Consulate and commercial ventures' 
requests for assistance, when needed. Drug cartel-related 
violence to this point has not directly crossed paths with U.S. 
Consulate or commercial ventures. Still, Americans must be aware 
that even with the Mexican Army assisting all levels of law 
enforcement to combat these drug cartels, the violence continues. 
 
IV. (U) Police Response 
 
To contact police anywhere in the Nogales Consular District, 
dial 066. In Nogales, this call is received by C-4, which is an 
equivalent of a U.S. 911 facility. There will be at least one 
English speaker on-duty at C-4 in Nogales, however, in other 
Consular District cities, this will probably not be the case. 
Police response to emergencies in Nogales is generally timely, 
however, in other Consular District cities, may not be. Police 
corruption and involvement in criminal activity, especially 
narco-trafficking, is common throughout Mexico- northern Sonora 
is no exception. Also, police pay is very low, even by Mexican 
standards. As a result, citizens are often indifferent to police 
authority. Many crimes and suspicious activities are not 
reported because citizens believe the police are corrupt and 
will probably not take any action in their complaints, due to 
their poor wages and poor work ethic. The low rate of crime 
resolution, arrests and/or convictions of offenders, at least to 
some degree, substantiates these beliefs. Further, the process 
of reporting even a minor crime or incident involves the 
complainant going to a local police facility to file the report, 
where often times, prosecution is discouraged by police 
officials to reduce their workload. 
 
Visitors in the Nogales Consular District may contact the 
Consular Section or Regional Security Officer at the U.S 
Consulate in Nogales if they are encountering problems in police 
matters (see phone numbers below). American citizens are advised 
to cooperate with police officials if detained and/or 
questioned. If involved in a Qme, a visit to the local police 
facility with the investigating officer may be required to file 
a complaint or be further questioned. There is usually a nominal 
fee required for an official police report regarding an 
insurance claim. Do not be surprised if you are told to return 
at another day/time to receive a copy of an official police 
report. 
 
¶V. (U) Medical Emergencies: 
 
For any medical emergency in the Nogales Consular District, dial 
¶066. In Nogales, this call is received by C-4, which is an 
equivalent of a U.S. 911 facility. As noted above, there will be 
at least one English speaker on-duty in Nogales, however, in 
other Consular District cities, this will probably not be the 
case. Ambulance service within Nogales is reasonably reliable, 
although ambulance personnel are not as well-trained as those in 
the U.S. The Cruz Roja de Mexico (Red Cross) also provides 
ambulance service. Below are the phone numbers for the Red Cross 
and hospitals in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico that handle emergencies: 
 
Cento Medico de Sonora (private): 631-313-0916/26 
Centro Medico del Estado de Sonora (public): 631-313-3465 
Hospital General (public): 631-313-0794 
Hospital del Socorro (private): 631-314-6061 
Cruz Roja de Mexico (Red Cross) 631-313-5801. 
 
Air ambulance service is available from the Carondelet Holy 
Cross Hospital in Nogales, AZ. The air ambulance will be 
dispatched from another Carondelet hospital in Tucson, AZ. The 
phone number for this service is (520) 285-3000. 
 
There are health concerns in Nogales and throughout the Consular 
District. Care should be taken when drinking water and eating 
fresh vegetables and fruits. Especially in the larger cities, 
vehicle and commercial emissions can cause the air to be 
polluted. Although Nogales' altitude (4000') is less than Mexico 
City (7300')), it is high enough to cause those with breathing 
problems to be prepared for this condition. 
 
 
VI. (U) Travel Precautions 
 
Other than drug cartel-related violence and crime, crimes in 
Nogales or elsewhere in the Consular District are no different 
from those in large cities in the U.S. Assaults 
(simple/aggravated), robberies, larcenies and other common 
crimes occur at higher rates than comparably sized cities in the 
U.S. There is an especially higher incidence of pick-pocketing 
throughout the Consular District and especially in heavily 
populated, busy sections of the cities. If you must visit such 
areas, be aware of those around you, particularly if you are 
bumped or jostled, which is a tactic of pick-pocket criminals. 
If you happen to hear gunshots, which would most likely be the 
result of inter-drug cartel violence, attempt to find a point of 
cover (inside a building; behind a very solid object, such as a 
brick wall, etc.). If possible, dial 066 to report the shots 
being fired. 
 
Otherwise, practice good personal security. Dress in Mexico, 
including northern Sonora is very casual, so dress accordingly. 
Vary your routine (routes to/from work, activities, etc.). Be 
alert for possible surveillance, such as someone who appears to 
be out of place or someone you continue to see after having made 
several turns. When sitting inside restaurants or other social 
establishments, do not sit outside and try to find seating in an 
area no clearly visible from the street. Do not wear/carry 
valuables that make you a desirable target for criminals. 
Prior to road travel, ensure that your vehicle is in good 
operation condition. Vehicle alarms are highly recommended, as 
car thefts have increased significantly in the last few years. 
Check the engine, tires, brakes, radiator, heating/air 
conditioning system, all lights, spare tire/jack, horn and fluid 
levels. Particularly on long trips to remote areas, attempt to 
travel with at least one other vehicle and advise others of your 
travel plans, including anticipated arrival and departure times, 
routes to be taken and contact numbers. 
 
The following items are recommended for extended road trips: 
- Cellular telephone with charger (Be advised that some areas 
may not have coverage.) 
- Spare tire 
- Portable gas can with funnel 
- Potable water 
- Non-perishable food items 
- First Aid kit 
- Camping gear (sleeping bag, blanket, stove, etc.) 
- Fire extinguisher 
- Battery jumper cables 
- Flares/roadway reflectors 
- Collapsible shovel 
- Emergency kit (flashlight, battery operated radio, fan/drive 
belts, electrical fuses, spark plugs, light bulbs, spare 
ignition key, regular/Phillips screwdrivers, socket set, pliers, 
wire, electrical/duct tape. 
 
VII. How to Contact the Consulate: 
 
U.S. Consulate Nogales: 631-311-8150 
011-52-631-311-8150 (from the U.S.) 
631-318-0723 (U.S. Consulate Nogales Duty Officer) 
U.S. Nogales Consulate business hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:45 
PM, 
Monday-Friday. 
 
VIII. OSAC Country Council 
 
An OSAC Country Council for the Nogales Consular District has 
recently been re-established. The first meeting of the 
re-established Council was held on 2/5/09. Nearly all U.S.-based 
companies with interests in the Nogales Consular District were 
represented. Officers will be nominated/elected in the coming 
months. At this time, any OSAC questions regarding the Nogales 
Consular District can be directed to the RSO, who can be reached 
at the Consulate phone number listed above. 
 
 
DINKELMAN