Alleged Extortionist Faces Trial in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — A control judge has ordered a man identified as Alfredo “N” to stand trial, following the presentation of evidence by the State Attorney General's Office linking him to an alleged case of aggravated extortion.

The events under investigation by the autonomous agency occurred on August 23 of this year. The suspect allegedly appeared at a clothing store owned by the victim, located on 5th Avenue between 4th and 6th Streets North in the Centro neighborhood. He identified himself as a member of a criminal organization and demanded a monthly payment of 15,000 pesos as a "derecho de piso," or protection fee.

The suspect warned the victim that failure to comply would result in individuals coming to the store to shoot and kill anyone present on the premises.

Following a criminal complaint, the State Attorney General's Office, through its Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Combating Kidnapping and Extortion, requested and obtained an arrest warrant for Alfredo “N” from a control judge. Investigative Police officers executed the warrant, capturing the suspect on Zapote Street, between Ceiba and Caoba streets in the Misión Villamar subdivision.

During a hearing for the formulation of charges related to the arrest warrant, the judicial authority, after the prosecution presented its charges, issued the order to bind Alfredo “N” over for trial. The judge also imposed the precautionary measure of preventive detention for the duration of the judicial process against him.