In a shocking revelation, a hacker associated with a notorious Mexican drug cartel was found to have spied on a U.S. Embassy official in Mexico City in 2018. This operation aimed to identify potential informants for the cartel, leading to intimidation and even murder, as detailed in a recent report by a U.S. government oversight agency.
The Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General disclosed this incident in a report that scrutinizes the FBI’s counter-surveillance measures designed to safeguard its personnel and ongoing investigations. This alarming breach occurred during the FBI’s pursuit of the infamous cartel leader, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, highlighting the lengths to which criminal organizations will go to protect their interests.
According to the report, the hacker offered a range of services focused on exploiting mobile devices and was able to monitor individuals entering and exiting the U.S. Embassy. This included tracking the FBI’s assistant legal attaché, who collaborates with local law enforcement in Mexico. The hacker’s capabilities extended to accessing the official’s phone number, allowing them to gather call logs and geolocation data.
Furthermore, the hacker reportedly utilized Mexico City’s surveillance camera network to follow the attaché throughout the city, identifying individuals he interacted with. This information was then allegedly used by the cartel to threaten and, in some cases, eliminate potential witnesses or sources of information.
Despite inquiries, the FBI directed all questions to the Department of Justice, which has yet to provide a response. This incident underscores the ongoing battle between law enforcement and sophisticated criminal enterprises in Mexico, where both sides have increasingly turned to advanced surveillance technologies.
For over a decade, Mexican law enforcement agencies have invested heavily in spyware to combat drug cartels, often employing tools developed by controversial firms. These technologies have not only targeted criminal organizations but have also been misused against activists and journalists, raising significant ethical concerns.
On the flip side, drug cartels have also adapted by utilizing encrypted communication devices designed to evade detection. Reports indicate that these organizations have exploited security software intended for government use to track and eliminate rivals, showcasing a disturbing trend in the ongoing drug war.
In previous investigations, it was revealed that cartels employed teams of hackers to establish secure communication networks. Notably, one hacker was instrumental in assisting authorities in capturing a high-ranking cartel member, demonstrating the complex interplay between law enforcement and criminal enterprises in the digital age.