Decapitated Body and Narco Banner Found Near Playa del Carmen as Cartel Violence Continues

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Violence linked to organized crime continues to cast a shadow over the northern Riviera Maya after a disturbing discovery early Saturday morning along the Puerto Morelos–Playa del Carmen highway.

According to reports, motorists who stopped along the roadside near kilometer 307 during the early hours of the morning were confronted with a gruesome scene: a severed human head left in plain view, accompanied by a narcomanta—a banner typically used by criminal groups to send threats or messages to rivals and authorities.

The message was directed at a criminal organization operating in the state, particularly in Playa del Carmen and Tulum, and also made explicit accusations against law enforcement officials and prison authorities.

The banner read:

“A LA FAMILIA NO SE LE TOCA MENOS A LOS NIÑOS, COMANDANTE MAMUT Y RUEDAS DE LA FGE DE PLAYA DEL CARMEN SABEMOS QUE USTEDES SON COMPLICES AL IGUAL QUE EL DIRECTOR DEL CERESO MOISES ROJAS RESENDIZ Y USTEDES APOYAN A ESTAS LACRAS EXTORSIONADORAS COMO “EL BOXER” Y “EL OSO” QUE SE DICEN LLAMAR PELONES TAMBIEN VA PARA USTEDES CHILANGOS SOLO AGUANTEN LA VERGA Y USTEDES DELINCUENTES CON CHAROLA DE LA FGE SIGAN CAGANDOLA”

“Families must not be harmed, particularly children. This message is addressed to Commander Mamut and Ruedas of the Playa del Carmen State Attorney General’s Office (FGE), whom the authors accuse of being accomplices, along with the director of the CERESO prison, Moisés Rojas Reséndiz. The message alleges support for extortion groups known as ‘El Boxer’ and ‘El Oso,’ also referred to as ‘Pelones.’ It further extends these accusations to individuals from Mexico City and to alleged criminals operating while displaying credentials associated with the FGE.”

Authorities reportedly arrived quickly at the scene, removed the remains and the banner, and secured the area. By morning, there was no visible trace of the incident. No official statement has been released, and the event was not immediately acknowledged through formal channels.

The discovery underscores the ongoing struggle between rival criminal groups in the region and raises renewed concerns about public safety, transparency, and the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts in Playa del Carmen and surrounding municipalities.

As of this writing, no arrests have been announced and no further details have been officially confirmed.