9 Arrested in Tulum Drug Cartel Crackdown After Homicides

Tulum, Mexico — Authorities have dealt a significant blow to organized crime in Tulum with the arrest of nine individuals allegedly linked to a recent surge in homicides. The suspects, believed to be part of a criminal cell, were apprehended in coordinated operations that also yielded firearms, explosives, and narcotics.

The Operation and Arrests

The Quintana Roo State Attorney General’s Office confirmed that intelligence efforts led to the capture of the group, which is accused of involvement in at least nine recent killings. Among those detained is José Benjamín “N,” alias El Cuervo or 58, identified as a high-priority target in the state’s criminal database and the alleged leader of the cell.

The arrests took place in two separate operations, one of which targeted the informal settlement known as Nasim, an area previously flagged for illicit activity.

Seized Arsenal: A Glimpse into the Criminal Network

The confiscated items highlight the group’s firepower and criminal operations:

• Firearms: Authorities recovered handguns and rifles, including weapons restricted to military use.
• Explosives: A fragmentation grenade was among the seized items.
• Drugs: Quantities of marijuana, crack cocaine, and synthetic pills, commonly referred to as tacha, were found.

Ties to Recent Violence

The detained individuals are suspected not only of drug trafficking but also of carrying out multiple homicides as part of a turf war over narcotics distribution in the tourist hotspot.

This operation follows other recent arrests, including Bryan Augusto “N” and Daniel Adelfain “N,” alleged members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), caught distributing marijuana, and Alejandro “N,” alias El Rayo, suspected in the murder of Tulum’s former Public Security Secretary, José Roberto Rodríguez Bautista.

“The detainees are linked to at least nine homicides in recent weeks,” the Attorney General’s Office stated, emphasizing the significance of dismantling the criminal structure.

While the arrests mark progress in restoring security, they also underscore the persistent presence of national criminal organizations in Tulum. Law enforcement continues to prioritize intelligence-led operations to dismantle networks exploiting the region’s tourism-driven economy for illegal activities.