Cancún Commander Wounded During Intervention, Not Targeted Attack, Prosecutor Says

Security briefing in Cancún where prosecutor Raciel López Salazar denied commander was targeted

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The State Prosecutor’s Office has denied that an armed attack on a senior police commander was a direct hit, saying he intervened in a drug-related shooting and was injured in the process.

At a security briefing Monday, State Prosecutor Raciel López Salazar said Commander Josué Rosales, head of the Anti-Narcotics Division, was at the scene on Huayacán Avenue by coincidence last Wednesday. Rosales and another agent witnessed two men on a motorcycle open fire on the driver of a Ford Lobo pickup truck.

Rosales shot and wounded one of the attackers, López said. The second assailant fled but was arrested minutes later. However, as Rosales intervened, an alleged accomplice driving a black truck ran him over, fracturing his fibula.

The prosecutor emphasized that Rosales was discharged from the hospital the same day and is recovering at home, contradicting rumors on social media that he had been killed. Investigators seized the weapon allegedly used by the attackers.

López also announced that the investigation has led to the dismantling of a drug distribution network. Authorities determined that the initial “victim” in the attack was part of a marijuana distribution ring and was en route to deliver drugs that night.

Seven additional suspects have been identified, and two properties used for storing and processing marijuana were raided. Police seized 120 kilograms of marijuana and various long guns.

“Let it be clear: the commander has a fractured fibula, and thanks to his bravery in confronting those criminals, we had the opportunity, as an inter-institutional group, to dismantle this criminal gang,” López said.

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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