Cancún Police Struggle to Stop “Gota a Gota” Loan Sharks

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Despite having identified Colombian loan sharks operating under the "gota a gota" (drop by drop) system, the Benito Juárez Municipal Secretariat of Citizen Security and Transit (SSCyT) cannot detain them unless caught in the act of committing a crime, according to Carlos Ernesto D’amiano, the agency’s head.

Loan Sharks Targeted in Armed Attacks

D’amiano revealed that these groups have become victims of a conflict with another criminal organization, suffering three direct armed attacks in June alone. Authorities report that assailants are deliberately targeting the loan sharks during their collection rounds, waiting for law enforcement to pass before striking.

“We know they engage in extortion—providing loans and then pressuring debtors—but in the neighborhoods where they operate, they are now being hunted. While we cannot protect them, we have increased patrols and are coordinating with the State Secretariat’s Intelligence Unit and the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) to assess the situation,” D’amiano explained.

Police Operations and Challenges

During routine checkpoints, officers verify motorcycle riders’ documentation through Plataforma México, ensuring vehicles are not stolen and that drivers have proper paperwork. However, D’amiano noted that these groups use WhatsApp to alert each other about police operations, allowing them to evade detection despite the checkpoints’ itinerant nature.

Legal Limitations on Arrests

The SSCyT emphasized that without witnessing threats or extortion firsthand, officers can only penalize motorcyclists for traffic violations, such as reckless driving or missing license plates. If documentation is in order, authorities are limited to issuing fines.

Crime Statistics in Cancún

Despite the ongoing violence, D’amiano reported a 47% decrease in intentional homicides in May compared to the same period last year. So far in June, three intentional homicides have been recorded—averaging one every two days. The police chief attributed the relative stability to preventive patrols and interagency coordination.

No arrests have been made in connection with the recent attacks on the "gota a gota" loan sharks.