Cancún’s Taxi Scandal: Organized Crime and Fraud Exposed

A recent investigation has revealed a disturbing trend in Cancún, where some taxi drivers are reportedly involved in organized crime, fraud, and extortion of tourists. This threatens not only the safety of visitors but also the reputation of this popular tourist destination.

Authorities have identified instances where criminals are using taxis as a means to distribute drugs and engage in serious crimes, including what are known as express kidnappings.

The local authorities’ failure to act, coupled with their apparent complicity with organized crime, is highlighted by incidents such as raids on union offices that uncovered narcotics and evidence of torture.

Tourists are advised to avoid traditional taxis and instead opt for public transportation as a measure to prevent potential abuse and fraud.

The taxi union in Cancún appears to be operating with impunity, as evidenced by the more than 500 complaints of damages and assaults that have been filed, none of which have resulted in any consequences to date.

Partying or working? The ice-breaking question

A recent report by Excelsior Investigations revealed that some transport drivers in this tourist destination operate as the first contact for drug distribution and other illegal services.

During a tour, we documented how easily drivers offer visitors everything from drugs to “escorts.” Upon boarding one of these vehicles, identified by their white and green colors, the drivers begin conversation with seemingly harmless questions like, “What are you coming to Cancún for, work or to party?”

When the answer is “party ,” the drivers begin offering a variety of illicit substances and services.

“You came to the right place. Cancún is the Las Vegas of Mexico. What happens in Cancún stays in Cancún ,” one of the drivers said during the ride. He then offered “tacos, fun, women, whatever you want and want ,” confirming the ease with which these illegal activities operate in the tourist destination.

This practice demonstrates the presence of drug trafficking and human trafficking networks operating with apparent impunity in the area.

Cancún, internationally renowned for its luxury tourism and idyllic beaches, also faces a growing problem of sex tourism and drug use.

Local authorities have been criticized for their lack of action on this issue, while human rights and security organizations have warned of the need to strengthen transportation surveillance and regulation in the region.

According to Águeda Esperilla, a spokesperson for platform taxis in Cancún, it’s an open secret that taxi drivers are linked to organized crime to commit various crimes.

“Everyone will tell you they’re involved in robberies, kidnappings, and extortion. There are videos of them arriving in a taxi, burning down or shooting at a business, and the criminals getting in and fleeing. That’s why women, in particular, don’t feel safe using this service ,” she complained.

Even the excessive charges imposed by taxi drivers are part of the extortion schemes used by criminal organizations to maintain control over municipal authorities.

“They justify the excessive charges because they don’t have a scale; they’re supposed to pay their quota ‘on the sly.’ They force them to sell drugs, especially those operating in the hotel zone. That’s why hotels charge higher rates ,” he explained.

Union offices or torture houses?

One of the cases confirming the relationship between organized crime and taxi drivers is the search carried out on November 4, 2024, at the offices of the Andrés Quintana Roo Taxi Drivers’ Union. The State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) discovered a torture chamber, as well as narcotics and live ammunition.

The inspection was carried out following the investigation into the murder of José Luis Corral Morales, which occurred on October 25. Corral Morales was a member of the union and a former advisor to local Labor Party representative Rubén Carrillo Buenfil.

he discovery came after the arrest of Salomón Alfonso Muñoz, alias “Mafer” , leader of the drivers, and Óscar Antonio Solís, a member of the board of directors, who were identified as the alleged masterminds of the murder.

Despite security operations in the area, the problem persists. Arrests and seizures have been made, but the criminal organization continues to operate and adapt to law enforcement strategies.

Between the paradise of its beaches and the hell of transportation

Images of Cancún’s beaches circulating on social media depict a paradise. However, upon leaving the International Airport, the reality changes drastically.

It’s not the tropical climate that suffocates visitors, but the cacophony of taxi drivers who, like predators, seek their next prey among the hundreds of tourists who arrive daily.

The dispute over fares translates into fares ranging from 1,400 to 12,000 pesos, depending on the traveler’s profile.

The abuse affects not only domestic tourists but also foreigners like Ian Montenegro, from Panama, who avoided traditional taxis and opted for public transportation to travel with his mother.

“I can’t take an Uber without worrying because if there’s a taxi nearby, they’ll cut in front of me and won’t let me finish the ride. They start banging on the vehicle and cause a bad time,” he said.

Credit card fraud

The “discount” when paying by card is not an act of generosity, but a strategy for committing fraud. Águeda Esperilla has documented cases of card cloning at the airport.

“At the airport, they clone cards and scam people. Some tourists are promised a car rental on the condition that they pay for the taxi ride first. Then, at the hotel, they’re told there’s no car reserved and they don’t get a refund ,” he explained.

There are also reports of taxi drivers selling fake tour packages for up to 3,000 pesos without delivering the promised services.

The taxi mafia

The transportation problem in Cancún is nothing new. For years, taxi unions have blocked the entry of digital platforms like Uber, ensuring their monopoly and maintaining inflated fares.

Rafael Ortega Ramírez, president of the Cancún Chamber of Commerce, Services, and Tourism (Canaco Servitur)  , warns that these abuses seriously affect the destination’s image.

Furthermore, it has been reported that traffic police are collaborating with taxi drivers, illegally detaining Uber drivers, despite the fact that they are operating under legal protection.

“The taxi drivers themselves stopped the Uber drivers and called authorities to impound them, even though they had legal protection ,” he said.

Given this situation, tourists are advised to book private transfers in advance or use public transportation to avoid overcharges and fraud.

The impunity of the taxi drivers’ union in Cancún

According to Águeda Esperilla, the Quintana Roo Attorney General’s Office has filed more than 500 complaints against taxi drivers for damages, threats, and gang attacks. However, to date, no charges have been filed against any member of the Andrés Quintana Roo Taxi Drivers Union, the largest in the state.

The union leader’s position was sought, but spokesperson Blanca Blanco requested a series of questions in advance and a photograph of the journalist, an unusual requirement for granting the interview.

Data was also requested from the Attorney General’s Office and the Quintana Roo Mobility Secretariat, but so far there has been no response.