A/HRC/11/7/Add.2 page 18 B. Organized crime networks and impunity among governmental and law enforcement officials 65. Transnational migration continues to be a business in Mexico, largely operated by transnational gang networks involved in smuggling and trafficking in persons and drugs, with collaboration of the local, municipal, state and federal authorities. These practices are directly related to the rise in cases of violence against women and children, especially along the northern and southern borders, and at transit points. As such, impunity for human rights abuses against migrants is rampant. With the pervasiveness of corruption at all levels of government and the close relationship that many authorities have with gang networks, incidences of extortion, rape and assault of migrants continue. The majority of the cases seem to be against migrants from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. 66. The Government of Mexico has to some extent a sophisticated and well-developed bureaucracy to handle migration issues, as evidenced by the myriad of agencies that cover the issue. However, implementation remains a challenge and, according to certain ministries, scarcity of resources remains a problem. There are reports about the misuse of funds intended to prevent undocumented migration to the United States (an estimated US$ 1.5 million), including professionalizing the police forces. The Beta Groups, which provide material assistance and support to migrants in the process, often lack sufficient gasoline or personnel to carry out their tasks. 67. The Special Rapporteur recalls a point made by the Committee on Migrant Workers in its concluding observations. Under the General Population Act and its regulations, only officials of the National Institute for Migration and the Federal Preventive Police are empowered to carry out appropriate duties related to immigration control and supervision of the foreign-born population in the country. Under article 73 of the General Population Act, other authorities who by law have federal, local or municipal forces under their command may provide assistance to the migration authorities when so requested. However, the Committee noted that it is disturbed to find that in certain cases authorities not so empowered, including members of the Armed Forces and private security personnel (also known as garroteros), carry out migration control activities and arrests. 68. The Special Rapporteur has been informed of abuses by the INM, public law enforcement agents and private security personnel. Civil society organizations reported that arbitrary arrests are carried out by private security groups. These groups are mainly in charge of guarding railroads and trains, who arrest undocumented migrants illegally and hand them over to the INM. The most infamous cases seem to be those associated with the “train of death”, a mode of transport often used by undocumented migrants travelling internally. Reports indicate that mutilations, kidnapping, assaults and sexual harassment and abuse of migrants occur with some regularity during transit. The Special Rapporteur received reports of frequent operations during which the police and private security forces use extreme violence, beat people or throw them out of the train, causing serious accidents which can result in the amputation of limbs (arms or legs). 69. Civil society organizations and journalists reported cases of aggression, intimidation, violence and kidnapping of human rights defenders of migrants and those who assist