Another Possible Illegal Arrest by Playa del Carmen Police Revealed

A Playa del Carmen police vehicle parked on a street

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Another case of possible illegal detention, extrajudicial deprivation of liberty, and torture by officers of Playa del Carmen’s Public Security Department has come to light.

The affected individual also alleges he was denied access to the case file and did not have a defense attorney as required by law.

Juan Carlos De la O Gutiérrez filed an indirect amparo (federal injunction) against the Public Security Department and its director, Carlos Montesinos, before the Fourth District Court, according to the list of agreements published Monday under case number 921/2026.

Several amparo lawsuits have been filed in recent months involving Public Security Department officers, as reported by this news outlet. The complaints allege violations of Article 22 of the Mexican Constitution, which prohibits all forms of physical torture, and Article 20, which guarantees every defendant the right to adequate legal defense from the moment of arrest.

De la O Gutiérrez filed the amparo on July 10. On June 13, the federal judge granted an immediate suspension to allow the plaintiff to regain his freedom, ratify his complaint, and require the authorities to submit a report.

At least three similar cases reached federal court in June to protect citizens from alleged illegal detention and torture.

Carlos Montesinos has not commented on the cases, as legal proceedings are ongoing. The affected individuals may pursue legal action against the officers involved.

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By Javier Mendez

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