In 2020, 61.1% of drug-related crimes committed in Mexico by those who are already in prison were for drug dealing, while 38.9% were crimes against health, reported the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi).
“The crimes of drug dealing —which the authorities of the common jurisdiction sanction— occur if the amount of psychoactive substances (cannabis, cocaine, opium, heroin, hallucinogens or amphetamine-type stimulants) is less than what results from multiplying by 1,000 the specified grammage in the Orientation Table of Maximum Doses for Personal and Immediate Consumption, established by the General Health Law, and when there are no elements to presume organized crime.
“When that amount is exceeded, then they are considered crimes against health. These are the responsibility of the federal jurisdiction and are sanctioned in accordance with the Federal Penal Code”, specified the statistical body.
Regarding federal jurisdiction, 40.7% of drug-related crimes committed by the general population in penitentiary centers were for possession, and 23.6% for transportation.
According to the type of crime by sex, 41.9% of men and 27.8% of women were imprisoned for possession of drugs; For transporting narcotics, the figures were inverted since the crime was committed by 35.2% of women and 22.6% of men.
In the area of common law, 39.3% of drug-related crimes committed by the general population that is already incarcerated were for simple possession, and 25.8% for possession for commercial purposes. 40% and 31% of men and women, respectively, were imprisoned for simple possession and possession for commercial purposes. More women committed the crime (33.6%) than men (25.2%).
Cases by gender
According to the autonomous entity, 19.6% of the crimes committed by those who entered the country’s penitentiary centers in that year are related to drugs, whether for possession, supply, trade, production, transportation or trafficking, among other activities.
“This percentage increased between 2010 and 2020. In the case of women, the increase was double: it went from 13% in 2010 to 26% in 2020,” the report stated.
As well as that “compared to men, women confined in penitentiary centers committed relatively more crimes for trade, possession for commercial purposes and for transporting drugs. This is consistent with the evidence that indicates an increase in the participation of women in the drug market as human couriers or drug mules.
According to the National Survey of the Population Deprived of Liberty (ENPOL, 2021), the report abounded, in 2020 four out of 10 people who were in prison used tobacco and one out of 10 used marijuana; consumption of almost all substances was lower in women than in men.