Sinaloa Cartel Extortion Hits Puerto Morelos Cenotes

PUERTO MORELOS, Quintana Roo — Fear over extortion and "derecho de piso" (protection fee) demands is spreading through the ejidal zone of Puerto Morelos. A property owner, identified as F.S.E., has filed a criminal complaint with the State Attorney General's Office after suffering two violent incidents on his land.

The complaint, filed under case number FGE-QROO-09-19975-2025, accuses Feliciano Ortiz Guerrero of the crimes of extortion and threats.

Violent Incidents and Demands

According to the legal filing, on July 12 and July 28, 2025, Ortiz Guerrero arrived at the property located on the Puerto Morelos–Central Vallarta highway armed with a firearm. He allegedly demanded that the workers—specifically targeting a worker named Juan Luis "N"—tell the owner to either abandon the parcel or pay a monthly fee of 50,000 pesos as "derecho de piso" to be allowed to continue working.

The aggressor claimed to have links to an individual nicknamed "60," a presumed member of the Sinaloa Cartel. He warned that if the demands were not met, the workers or the owner would be "lifted," a term commonly used to refer to kidnapping.

A Pattern of Criminal Activity

The case reveals a pattern of extortion that is already affecting farmers, ejido landowners, and small business owners in various parts of Quintana Roo. Criminal groups are demanding fees to permit work or the commercialization of products, generating fear, halting investments, and threatening the security of entire communities.

F.S.E. reported that the intimidations are recurring and that his workers and their families are living under constant fear. He stated that the economic threat is accompanied by warnings of death.

Authorities Confirm Multiple Complaints

Authorities confirmed that other complaints exist against Feliciano Ortiz Guerrero for similar acts. They are calling for more victims to come forward and file formal complaints to halt the operations of this alleged extortionist and his accomplices.

Request for Protective Measures

The complaint requests immediate protective measures, including a prohibition of approach, urgent police assistance, and safeguards for the physical and psychological integrity of the complainant. These requests are based on the Quintana Roo Penal Code and the General Law for Victims.

The legal action is supported by video evidence from the mentioned dates and psychological expert reports that document the impact of the harassment.