A hotel in Mexico popular with American tourists was sent into chaos Thursday amid reports of gunfire. Neighbors reported the kidnapping to the police at around 2:30 a.m., but the first officers arrived at the scene only 50 minutes later, according to a report in the newspaper Milenio. Two of them specified that they were rescued along with hundreds of other migrants by Mexican federal law enforcement on Dec. 7, and then began walking north on highways. The statement did not say how the release took place. (Jonathan Alpeyrie/Bloomberg via Getty Images), Fox News Flash top headlines for August 19. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. On July 7, 1981, 10-year-old Adam Walsh was taken from a department store in Hollywood, Florida. One of the more unusual kidnappings in the Western World was that of Patty Hearst, the 19-year-old heiress and descendant of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. Ex-Border agent indicted in sex assault of an Arizona teen December 1, 2022 PHOENIX (AP) A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent has been indicted in connection with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a teenage girl in Arizona earlier this year, according to federal authorities. He has asked the U.S. to invest in regional economic development instead of sending helicopter gunships and other weapons to take on drug traffickers. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The reported incident [] When a disconnected phone on the wall begins to ring, Finney discovers that he can hear the voices of the killer's previous victims. The proliferation of gangs (the United Nations puts the number at almost 170) along with gangs historic ties with all levels of the political establishment mean that disentangling criminal elements from Haitis social fabric is a big ask. S-RMs GSI is the simplest way to get a fresh perspective on the security risks affecting you, your work, and your travel. Number of kidnapping cases reported in Mexico from 2015 to 2021 [Graph]. Reported kidnappings have decreased significantly in Mexico, but in recent years, at least one out of every 10 kidnapping victims has been a migrant trying to reach the United States, a situation that could . Staff and agencies in Mexico City. In 2020, only 0.11% of missing children cases were the result of stranger abductions. WHILST THIS REDUCTION IN ACTIVITY CAN BE REFLECTIVE OF INSUREDS ON RISK AT ANY GIVEN TIME, IT SHOULD ALSO BE ASSESSED ALONGSIDE GENERAL REPORTING OF INCIDENTS IN THE REGION, WHICH I BELIEVE HAVE REDUCED.". Nuevo Laredo is the headquarters for Los Zetas Cartel, also known as CDN. While there were no reported injuries in Tijuana, the crime tangled up traffic throughout the city and temporarily blocked access to the U.S. border crossing. The bodies of the three were then taken away by a group of men in the back of a pickup truck, Luis Gerardo Moro, head of the Jesuits in Mexico, said in a radio interview. More than 340,000 kids went missing in 2020. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Colima statedue tocrimeandkidnapping. Here is a list of Mexican states where travel is not advised at this time: Do Not Travel To: Colima state due to crime and kidnapping. The travel advisory follows a weekend of vandalism, looting and other crimes in Northern Baja California, including . All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. Jalisco statedue tocrimeandkidnapping. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. Market data provided by Factset. Thanks for contacting us. Eight bodies were found Saturday on Mexico 's Yucatan peninsula, and they appear to be those of eight men apparently kidnapped from a resort on the Caribbean . See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. Two other migrants also said they had seen people in municipal police uniforms during the kidnapping. Assistance: Contact Form U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico From Mexico: +52-664-977-2000 From the United States: +1-619-692-2154 Department of State - Consular Affairs: +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444 Alerts The Durango prosecutor's office said it had not opened an investigation because it had not received any complaints but confirmed rescues had taken place on Dec. 5 and 7. A report of the disappearance was only made a month later, hence the U.S State Departments travel safety update. The incidents appear to comprise one of the biggest known mass kidnappings in Mexico in recent years, said Stephanie Leutert, an immigration expert at the University of Texas at Austin. As always, authorities throughout Quintana Roo are working together to ensure the safety of tourists and locals alike. June 27, 2022 / 6:10 AM / CBS/AP. Legal Statement. The Durango prosecutor's office said it had not opened an investigation because it had not received any complaints but confirmed rescues had taken place on Dec. 5 and 7. A collection of moments during and after Barack Obama's presidency. This comes after Oscar Montes de Oca ( the head of the Quintana Roo Attorney Generals Office) confirmed that no other kidnapping attempts had been documented by authorities. Michoacan state due to crime. Morelos state due to crime and kidnapping. Follow us on Google News, Facebook and Twitter to stay informed. The 2022 outlook for both the rule of law and public safety in Mexico and meaningful U.S.-Mexico security cooperation remains bleak, writes Vanda Felbab-Brown as sh discusses her findings from . Kidnapping rates vary from country to country, though not entirely in sync with the rates of other violent crimes around the world. Updated on: April 1, 2022 / 4:36 PM Testimony from the nine migrants suggests there were multiple kidnappings across several days in the northern state of Durango, with people taken to at least . Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. The U.S State Department first updated its travel advisory in March 2022, after violent crime increased throughout the state. You need at least a Starter Account to use this feature. The kidnappings are a stark reminder of the dangers faced by migrants as they travel across Mexico, crisscrossing areas rife with drug violence and weak rule of law. The Army and INM did not respond to requests for comment about the Dec. 7 rescue, while the National Guard said it participated as it did on Dec. 5. To make matters worse, the 'Stop Kidnapping Association' reported that the state of Quintana Roo had the highest amount of kidnappings per hundred thousand inhabitants for August 2022. They had nothing to do with any operational issues.. In AmericanPost.News We have informed you that during January 2021 kidnapping in Mexico also increased by 32.2%. Top U.S. general makes unannounced visit to Syria, reviews mission, Russia close to encircling Ukraine's Bakhmut after months of fighting, Reporting by Jose Luiz Gonzalez in Ciudad Juarez and Jimenez; Jackie Botts in Oaxaca City; and Daina Beth Solomon in Mexico City 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Ex-AG Barr likens Mexican cartels to ISIS, demands Biden send military, Black Labrador puppy joins Border Patrol to support stressed-out agents, South Carolina woman in reputed Las Seoritas drug trafficking group found in Mexico, Mexicos former top cop convicted of taking bribes to help El Chapo cartel, killing of a high-ranking cartel member last week, The Spanish-language news outlet Univision reported that the kidnapping victims, according to a report in the newspaper Milenio. This story has been shared 121,139 times. South African police statistics show a 133 percent rise in kidnapping between 2011 and 2020, and several high-profile cases in 2021 suggest this trend will continue. 7 Cancun Alternatives For A More Laid-Back Vibe, Maya Train Gets Official Date To Start Operations This Year, Costa Mujeres Popularity Skyrocketing As Two New Resorts Are Announced, Nearly 5000 Troops Will Be Deployed To Protect Travelers On Upcoming Maya Train, The Best Lagoons In The Mexican Caribbean For Avoiding Sargassum This Year, A Budget Traveler's Guide For A Cancun Trip That Won't Break The Bank, Travelers Cant Get Enough Of This 5-Star Luxury ResortInCancun, National Guard Troops Deployed To Tulum Beaches To Protect Tourists, Mexican Caribbean Hotels To Be Nearly Full At The Beginning Of April, This Island Near Cozumel Was Nominated The Top Romantic Destination In Mexico, Top 4 Tools & Apps To Help You Plan The Perfect Cancun Vacation, Elon Musk Could Help Connect Maya Train To Airport, Cancun And The Mexican Caribbean Have The Most International Connections In Mexico, This Attraction Near Bacalar Has Gone Viral: Heres How To Safely Visit. National Institute for Migration/Handout via REUTERS. While the trend in homicide has improved in the last two years, Mexico's homicide rate remained near historically high levels in . We have also seen a notable uptick over the past year, with a 50 percent increase in global kidnapping incidents between November 2020 and December 2021 compared to the same period in 2019-2020. Overview and forecasts on trending topics, Industry and market insights and forecasts, Key figures and rankings about companies and products, Consumer and brand insights and preferences in various industries, Detailed information about political and social topics, All key figures about countries and regions, Market forecast and expert KPIs for 600+ segments in 150+ countries, Insights on consumer attitudes and behavior worldwide, Business information on 60m+ public and private companies, Detailed information for 35,000+ online stores and marketplaces. There are indications the target profiles are expanding. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Americas. The kidnapping took place on Nov. 3, yet is just now spreading as news of Mexican military members searching for two kidnapped Americans has spread along the border. The U.S. Department of State issued a warning last month to reconsider Mexico. The states of Veracruz, Mexico City, Puebla, Morelos, and the State of Mexico had the highest incidence of kidnapping crime. Two off-duty female Mexican soldiers were abducted at gunpoint Thursday and held captive for more than 12 hours by suspected drug cartel members as a part of a frightening revenge plot, the Mexican army said. Quintana Roo statedue tocrime and kidnapping. Within the advisory, the U.S State Department mentions the state of Quintana Roo by name alongside several others, including Baja California and Jalisco, as having high rates of violence against both tourists and locals living or passing through each place. You can only download this statistic as a Premium user. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. In one incident, Mexico's Migration Institute (INM) said that along with the Army and National Guard it had freed more than 250 people from a property in the Durango town of Ciudad Lerdo on Dec. 5. Published On 16 Jul 2022 16 Jul 2022 Mexico: Inflation hits 21-year high ahead of rate decision Consumer prices jumped 8.15 percent last month compared to a year earlier, Mex . March 20, 2022. 1:53 The U.S. State Department issued an updated Travel Advisory Wednesday for U.S. travelers visiting Mexico, including new state-level advice and information on "kidnapping risk." The agency. Information about Kidnapping - Hostage US, Kidnapping - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. By Sunday, the group of migrants had traveled to Mexico's northern border, where they formed a long queue alongside the border wall, in one of the largest attempted group crossings in recent years. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Show publisher information FBI agents teamed up with U.S. Border Patrol agents and Mexican military officials to rescue a U.S. citizen being held by kidnappers in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. To make matters worse, the Stop Kidnapping Association reported that the state of Quintana Roo had the highest amount of kidnappings per hundred thousand inhabitants for August 2022. EL PASO, TX ( NewsNation) Over the past six months, the U.S. Department of State has urged Americans to avoid travel to parts of Mexico and to "reconsider travel" to 11 more amid fears of violence by criminal cartels across the country. Kidnappings for ransom accounted for 81 of the investigations, 10 cases had no ransom demands, and 25 cases were virtual kidnappings. The Spanish-language news outlet Univision reported that the kidnapping victims were found alive inside a vehicle parked at a shopping center. Byron Montiel, a Nicaraguan migrant also now in El Paso, showed Reuters a receipt of a money transfer that he said a relative sent to the kidnappers, and text messages from a kidnapper to one of his relatives demanding money. Despite the increase in travel advisories presenting warnings about kidnappings, tourists are reminded that such incidents are infrequent and that the state is fully-equipped to deal with these difficult situations. Virtual kidnappingan extortion fraud that can take many formshas been around for decades, but a new twist on this frightening scam makes U.S. residents more vulnerable than ever. Sinaloa state due tocrimeandkidnapping. Two high-ranking leaders of Los Aztecas ran the gang's sex-trafficking and kidnapping ring from inside the walls of two prisons in Jurez. Two American citizens were reportedly kidnapped by Mexican cartel member in Mexico near the border of Texas earlier this month, according to Breitbart News. These factors point to a persistent kidnapping threat in South Africa in the coming year. Many have led to new lawsand in one instance, a new television show. Like other criminal activity, the threat of kidnapping appears to be re-emerging, too. In 2018, the number of drug-related homicides in Mexico rose to 33,341, a 15 percent increase from the . 3:44. That said, broader trends are still observable from collected data, and can be useful in informing insurance requirements or organisational crisis management plans. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. It is also worth noting that the definition of kidnapping and the frequency with which it is reported and recorded may vary from one country to another. The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) recorded the lowest number of piracy incidents globally in the first nine months of 2021 for any year since 1994. Accessed March 04, 2023. https://www.statista.com/statistics/979091/mexico-number-kidnapping-cases/, National Public Security System. Leutert said the incident was one example of what migrants went through in the long journey to reach the United States. One of the more unusual kidnappings in the Western World was that of Patty Hearst, the 19-year-old heiress and descendant of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. The Lindbergh kidnapping inspired the creation of the Federal Kidnapping Act as well as several state-level anti-kidnapping laws. The states in Mexico, where the highest number of kidnapping cases are recorded during January 2022, are Michoacn with 111 cases, the State of Mexico with 8 cases, and Oaxaca and Veracruz with 5 cases. Armed members of the National Guard drive past the site of a burnt collective transport vehicle after it was set on fire by unidentified individuals in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, on August 12, 2022. Further attention has also been placed on the hotel zones in Cancun and Tulum. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido. Testimony from the nine migrants suggests there were multiple kidnappings across several days in the northern state of Durango, with people taken to at least two main locations and held against their will while ransoms were demanded. Moises, with the Baja California International Liaison Unit, stands on a beach in the village of San Felipe, Mexico . In Mexico, Nigeria and the Philippines, for instance, police involvement in kidnappings is common. The crime, in which the Garridos kept Dugard (and eventually her two daughters, both sired by Garrido via sexual assaults) in sheds and tents in their backyard, could have been discovered multiple times, were it not for several errors in judgement and protocol by law enforcement authorities. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. to incorporate the statistic into your presentation at any time. Kidnapping, extortion & human trafficking, Facebook: quarterly number of MAU (monthly active users) worldwide 2008-2022, Quarterly smartphone market share worldwide by vendor 2009-2022, Number of apps available in leading app stores Q3 2022, Profit from additional features with an Employee Account. In order to prevent kidnappings, the state of Quintana Roo has adopted a mass-surveillance system using C5 cameras, paying special attention to tourist-frequented bars, restaurants, and shops. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Kidnapping figures vary, but the Haitian Human Rights Analysis and Research Center (Centre d'Analyse et de Recherche en Droits de l'Homme, CARDH) has recorded 782 kidnappings between January and October 2021, suggesting Haiti will surely surpass the previous years total of 796 kidnappings already a record number. Mexican federal officials said the soldiers were likely abducted as payback for the arrest and killing of a high-ranking cartel member last week. Although the kidnapper repeatedly communicated that the baby was safe and the Lindberghs paid the demanded random, the child's body was found on May 12, almost 10 weeks after the kidnapping, and showed signs of having been dead for roughly eight weeks. But the per capita rate is highest in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas, near the U.S. border. The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting and finance professionals. Chart. 12+ years old children are the kidnapping victims in around 80% of all cases that include minors Girls from 12 to 17 years of age are the most typical victims of abduction Sonora statedue tocrimeandkidnapping. While a perpetrator was eventually arrested and convicted, the evidence was entirely circumstantial. See state summaries and advisory levels below for information on your specific travel destination. The commander of the army headquarters in the resort city of Puerto Vallarta said the two servicewomen were vacationing there when they were snatched just after midnight. Enter your email address to subscribe to The Cancun Suns latest breaking news affecting travelers, straight to your inbox. The US government is offering a $5 million reward for information leading to Gonzalezs arrest on federal drug-trafficking charges. "The investigation is advancing, and I assure you all that we will take this to the ultimate consequences," the state's governor, Maria Eugenia Campos, said during a Tuesday news conference. Some restrictions include not hailing taxis from the street but rather using a ride-share service like Uber or regulated taxi stands, and to not travel alone to remote locations. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Tony Garcia, 68, was charged with the 1981 killings of Rachel Zendejas, 20, and Lisa Gondek . The shows feature "gangs of drug traffickers, with actors, men, beautiful women, property, the latest cars, jewelry, designer clothes, power," he told reporters. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Kidnappers rationed meager food and water, prioritizing women and children, the migrants told Reuters. The soldiers were taken to the Naval Regional Hospital to be treated for their injuries. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Attorney General's Office suggested that Gonzalez had ordered the soldiers' kidnapping in retaliation for the April 22 operation to arrest Sal Alejandro Rincn Godoy, a suspected Jalisco. Mexican army members patrol the Ahuhuiyuco community in Chilapa de Alvarez, Guerrero state, Mexico, on June 20, 2017 after some 800 families fled their homes due to crossfire between two regional drug cartels. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Two human rights organizations, the Association . "Most of them are dual [citizens] and Green Card holders," he said. Maritime crime: On course for calmer waters in 2023, Shades of grey: The ever adapting nature of warfare, Mounting crises: Aid, conflict, and competition, Upsetting the apple cart: Instability stays the course. National Institute for Migration/Handout via REUTERS. In late April, the Northeast Cartel allegedly killed and burned the bodies of eight people linked to the Gulf Cartel in the town of Camargo, 75 kilometers west of Reynosa. This included a shooting at Playa del Carmens Fifth Avenue a popular area for tourists to visit. Haitis political crisis, which was only deepened by the assassination of President Jovenel Mose in July 2021, has served as a backdrop for a rapidly deteriorating security environment in which gangs have thrived. August 19, 2022 at 9:18 p.m. EDT Mexico's attorney general, Jess Murillo Karam was arrested Friday and accused of torture and forced disappearance in the 2014 mass kidnapping of students at a . (GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP via Getty Images), MEXICO PRESIDENT LOPEZ OBRADOR URGES CALM AMID CARTEL VIOLENCE, US GOVERNMENT STAFF TOLD TO SHELTER IN PLACE. Americans warned of kidnapping risks at popular Mexico tourist spots 0:00 0:40 US warns Americans of kidnappings in Mexico after increase in drug cartel violence The State Department issued. Puerto Vallarta is dominated by the ultra-violent Jalisco drug gang, which has often openly clashed with the military. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. It ended on Sunday the 18th, when police officers broke into the building at 113. With rampant crime, political instability and economic turmoil, 2022 may well prove to be another record-breaking year for kidnapping in Haiti. The parent resorts to kidnapping either to cause the other parent emotional distress, because they fear the other parent will keep the child from them, or because they feel the other parent poses a threat to the child's well being. Kidnapping in Mexico increased in January 2022 February 15, 2022 by americanpost The Civil Association Stop Kidnapping announced that the number of victims by kidnapping in Mexico increased 29.5 percent, compared to the month of December, registering 114 victims. During periods of stricter lockdown restrictions in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, criminal groups adapted to the prevailing conditions: in Mexico, some established cartels took the opportunity to seize territory and absorbed smaller criminal groups unable to adapt to lockdown conditions; in South Africa, extortionists turned their attention from shuttered nightclubs to cafes and hotels; and in Italy, the Camorra offered loans to struggling businesses to either turn a profit, or for use as money laundering fronts. Nuevo Leonstate due tocrimeandkidnapping. A look ahead: Kidnapping in 2022 With a resurgence of kidnapping in 2021 following a Covid-19-driven hiatus the previous year, Markus Korhonen looks at some of the emerging trends in kidnapping, and how those are likely to be sustained over the coming twelve months. Discoveries of mutilated bodies dumped in public or hung from bridges have increased in Mexico in recent years as criminal gangs seek to intimidate their rivals. "Capital punishment is the sentence for all these crimes.". We started our visits near Tulum and slowly made our way to the resorts in Cancun. You can reach her on Twitter at @rumpfsarahc. Chihuahua statedue tocrimeandkidnapping. Gunfire broke out on a beach in Mexicos Caribbean coast resort of Cancun Tuesday, sending tourists scrambling for cover. He said a search for the soldiers was launched by Mexicos army, navy and National Guard and included the use of helicopters. Recent positive developments aside, the Gulf of Guinea will remain a high-risk seafaring area in 2022. SAN DIEGO ( Border Report) The U.S. State Department on Wednesday issued a travel advisory for American travelers heading to Mexico, warning them of "high-risk crime and kidnapping.". Baja Californiastate due tocrimeandkidnapping. Members of the security forces work on a rescue operation of kidnapped migrants, in Ciudad Lerdo, Durando, Mexico in this handout image released December 6, 2022. Kidnappings in Haiti are happening frequently and publicity around the events has increased in the aftermath of the August 14, 2021 earthquake as gangs have been increasingly targeting foreign citizens and people of importance. However, the Office of the State Prosecutor confirmed that this figure was wrong, as no kidnappings were recorded throughout August of this year. The migrants broke down the building's front door, and found members of the National Guard, the Army and the INM outside. Are you interested in testing our business solutions? Mexican authorities have been waging a deadly battle against drug cartels for more than a decade, but with limited success. To date, there have been no fatalities from monkeypox in Mexico, Lopez-Gatell said. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/979091/mexico-number-kidnapping-cases/, Number of kidnapping cases reported in Mexico from 2015 to 2021, Available to download in PNG, PDF, XLS format, Mexico: most common crimes witnessed in Mexico 2022, Mexico: victimization rate 2021, by state, Mexico: perceived level of insecurity 2013-2022, Mexico: perceived insecurity by gender and location 2022, Mexico: economic impact of violence in 2015-2021, Mexico: economic impact of violence 2021, by indicator, Mexico: economic impact of homicide 2015-2021, Mexico: economic impact of fear 2015-2021, Mexico: justice system and incarceration spending 2015-2021, Mexico: public spending on violence containment 2021, by area, Mexico: per capita economic impact of violence 2021, by state, Mexico: number of homicides by cause of death 2021, Mexico: number of kidnapping cases 2015-2021, Mexico: main states in number of kidnapping cases 2021, Mexico: number of extortion cases 2015-2021, Mexico: number of human trafficking cases 2015-2021, Mexico: number of child trafficking cases 2015-2021, Mexico: businesses robbed or burglarized 2015-2021, Mexico: number of home burglaries 2015-2021, Number of insured vehicles stolen in Mexico 2014-2021, Number of detected fossil fuel thefts in Mexico 2001-2021, Number of violent crime victims as share total population in the Netherlands 2017, Kidnapping rate in the Benelux 2017, by country, Number of stalking cases recorded by police in Germany 2009-2020, Number of missing persons files in the U.S. 2021, by age and gender, Colombia: kidnapping cases 1958-2018, by party responsible, Number of missing persons files in the U.S. 2021, by race, Number of kidnapping offenses in Russia 2010-2018, Number of reported abduction and kidnapping cases in India 2005-2021, Number of vandalism victims in the Netherlands 2007-2017, Number of kidnapping cases Philippines 2019-2022, Kidnapping: percentage of cases for ransom 2004-2012, by continent, Family violence crime victims in Russia 2012-2021, Usage of the search term symphony in bibliographic databases in the U.S. 2010, Find your information in our database containing over 20,000 reports. Police officers arrest a resident for alleged robbery in Tijuana, Mexico, on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. In less-develeloped countries, kidnappings are often politically or economically motivated. At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, How a Minnesota hockey league helped a Ukrainian refugee feel at home, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Bus with 40 children crashes in French Alps, Armed kids shine light on Mexico's drug cartel violence. April 20, 2022. "This kidnapping and others show the risks that migrants face in Mexico and all the different groups trying to make money off of them," she said. And they are dead set on making sure that . "WE HAVE SEEN A SPIKE IN KIDNAPS IN SOUTH AFRICA TARGETING HNWIS [HIGH NET WORTH INDIVIDUALS], PARTICULARLY THOSE IN THE CONSUMER GOODS SECTOR, WHERE MULTIMILLION USD DEMANDS ARE THE NORM.