Mexican police recover stolen drums of hand sanitiser gel

Detectives in Mexico have recovered a truck that was stolen while carrying 12 drums of hand sanitiser gel

A protective mask is placed on the Francisco Villa Monument in Mexico City, Mexico. Reuters

The statue of Mexico's former president Benito Juarez is seen wearing a protective mask in Mexico City, Mexico. Reuters

The statue of Vicente Guerrero is seen with a protective mask in Mexico City, Mexico. Reuters

A man runs past a replica of a giant stone head of the Olmec culture wearing a protective mask with the words "Let's take care of everyone," in Mexico City, Mexico. Reuters

View of the statue of Mexico's late revolutionary leader Francisco 'Pancho' Villa bearing a face a mask during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, in Mexico City. AFP

View of the statue of Mexico's former president Benito Juarez bearing a face a mask during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, in Mexico City. AFP

Detectives in Mexico said Tuesday they recovered a truck that was stolen while carrying 12 drums of hand sanitiser gel.

The alcohol-based gel has become a hot item during the coronavirus pandemic, and prices for it have risen drastically.

Federal detectives said the thieves stole a truck on a road in the State of Mexico, on the outskirts of Mexico City. The truck had a tracking device.

They later found the truck and its cargo — which also included auto parts — parked at a walled-off parking lot. The 12 55-gallon (200-litre) drums of hand sanitiser were also recovered. No arrests were made.

Security analyst Alejandro Hope noted that precisely because stores, factories and warehouses are often closed now, the few businesses that are operating may become targets.

“I think they are going to start robbing businesses, or start targeting businesses that are doing well now, like medical supplies,” Mr Hope told Associated Press.

On April 3, Mexico’s National Guard caught one member of a gang who was trying to steal an entire tractor trailer carrying 15 tons of food on a highway in the state of San Luis Potosi.