12 Arrested in Cancun Criminal Cell That Operated From Tierra Maya
Cancun, Quintana Roo — Authorities have arrested three more alleged members of a criminal cell that operated from the Tierra Maya neighborhood, bringing the total number of detainees to 12, the Quintana Roo State Prosecutor’s Office announced Monday.
The suspects were identified as Mauricio, alias “Morelia”; Álvaro, alias “Güero”; and Darwin Gaspar, alias “Chaparro.” The cell used Tierra Maya as a base for drug sales, motorcycle theft, and planning homicides, prosecutors said.
State Prosecutor Raciel López Salazar said the arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into a series of crimes in the city. The alleged leader of the organization, Eddy Onassis “N,” was previously arrested and has been formally charged.
Darwin Gaspar, alias “Chaparro,” is also under investigation for his alleged involvement in the murder of Julio César, who was shot to death inside his home in the Paraíso Maya neighborhood on June 20.
All three detainees have been formally charged and are being held in preventive detention at the Cancun Social Reintegration Center (Cereso) while the investigation and legal proceedings continue.
Javier Mendez covers public safety, law enforcement, and legal affairs in Quintana Roo. He monitors official reports from the FGE (State Prosecutor's Office), the Mexican Navy, and municipal police to deliver accurate English summaries of crime, trafficking cases, arrests, and court rulings affecting the Riviera Maya region.Javier has been covering crime and public safety news since 2023, reporting on cases ranging from felony arrests and human trafficking investigations to court proceedings and organized crime-related incidents across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Chetumal. His reporting provides English-speaking residents and travelers with reliable, timely information about safety conditions in Quintana Roo's major tourist destinations.Javier works closely with official government sources and press offices to verify facts before publication, and maintains an archive of law enforcement communications to provide context for ongoing stories. He is dedicated to accurate, factual reporting on complex safety issues that affect both residents and visitors to the region.For story tips: javier@rivieramayanews.mx
