DJI Store México reported the theft of hundreds of drones, cameras, and accessories after a shipment left Felipe Ángeles International Airport [1].
The incident highlights the security risks facing high-value electronics shipments in Mexico and the role of digital locks in preventing the resale of stolen hardware.
The theft occurred on Aug. 19 [3]. The merchandise belonged to DJI Store México and its Mexican operator, Grupo HB [1]. The items were stolen after they had already exited the airport facilities, officials said [1].
Reports on the scale of the loss vary. One source said that at least 450 products were taken [1], while another report indicates more than 300 drones, cameras, and accessories were stolen [2].
To mitigate the loss and prevent the stolen hardware from being used, DJI blocked the serial numbers of the affected merchandise [2]. This action is intended to prevent the activation of the devices, rendering them useless to the thieves or any potential buyers on the secondary market [1].
Despite the digital blocking of the devices, officials said that the physical merchandise is already outside the airport installations [1].
“DJI blocked the serial numbers of the stolen merchandise”
This event underscores a growing trend where hardware manufacturers use cloud-based activation locks to combat physical theft. By remotely disabling serial numbers, DJI transforms high-value electronics into 'bricks,' reducing the incentive for organized cargo theft. However, the breach occurring immediately after the shipment left the airport suggests a potential vulnerability in the logistics chain or the transport security provided for high-end tech imports in the region.
