Radioactive isotopes theft in Mexico during 2011–2023: a green criminological approach

In the last decade, cases of radioactive isotope theft have been observed more frequently in Mexico, endangering human health, biodiversity, and the environment due to the risks of mishandling radioactive isotopes. The aim of this study was to analyze the theft of radioactive isotopes in Mexico in the period 2011–2023 from the perspective of green criminology through official data and radiological emergency bulletins. The results show that the most frequently stolen isotopes were ¹⁹²Ir, ¹³⁷Cs, and ¹³¹I in this study period, and it was also identified that the isotopes are stolen unintentionally, since it is the vehicles that transport them that are stolen, most of the time without knowing what they contain. It is concluded that the theft of radioactive isotopes in Mexico is a crime linked to vehicle theft, which in turn stems from the conditions of public insecurity but puts the health, safety and well-being of people, biodiversity, and the country's ecosystems at risk, so that institutional actions must be oriented considering the conditions of public insecurity to improve nuclear safety in the country.