No, laser jammers are illegal in Mexico under the Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law (Ley Federal de Telecomunicaciones y Radiodifusión), which classifies their operation as interference with radio frequencies. The Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT) enforces strict penalties, including fines up to 50,000 days of minimum wage and confiscation of devices. Recent 2026 amendments to the Reglamento de Radiocomunicaciones explicitly prohibit devices that disrupt law enforcement or emergency communications, closing prior loopholes.
Key Regulations for Laser Jammers in Mexico
- Prohibition under Article 190: The IFT’s Reglamento de Radiocomunicaciones (2026) bans any device emitting signals to disrupt radio communications, including laser jammers, with zero tolerance for “experimental” use.
- Criminal Liability (Article 211-Bis of the Federal Penal Code): Possession or operation may trigger charges of sabotage or obstruction of public services, carrying up to 10 years imprisonment if linked to endangering safety.
- Customs Enforcement: The Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT) seizes undeclared laser jammers at ports of entry, citing violations of the Ley Aduanera and international radio spectrum treaties.
Local authorities, including state police and the Procuraduría General de la República (PGR), conduct periodic roadside checks targeting vehicles equipped with such devices, particularly in high-security zones. Exemptions for military or scientific use require prior IFT approval—unavailable for civilian applications. Non-compliance risks immediate legal action, as demonstrated in 2025 cases where drivers faced combined civil and criminal proceedings.