Delivery Riders Protest Alleged Police Extortion in Tulum, Warn Against Further Abuses

Tulum, Quintana Roo — About 50 delivery riders protested outside Tulum’s municipal palace on Thursday morning, demanding an end to alleged extortion and abuse of authority by state police officers.

During the demonstration, the workers issued a public warning directed primarily at state police. “Any police officer who steals in Tulum, we will tie up and hand over along with their patrol car,” they told reporters, asserting that their group is organized and vigilant against new incidents.

While they mentioned grievances against municipal police and personnel linked to the State Prosecutor’s Office, the protesters focused their complaints on state patrols, alleging that some officers conduct arbitrary inspections and demand money.

Spokespeople for the group said fear among delivery riders has increased, as those who claim to have been affected hesitate to report incidents due to potential retaliation. “The same officer who harmed one person can continue harming others if there are no consequences,” one representative said during an exchange with authorities.

The protesters questioned oversight mechanisms and called for firm sanctions when evidence exists, beyond simply rotating officers. They also highlighted the difficulty of reporting incidents in real time, claiming that in some cases victims are left unable to communicate.

In response, Inspector José Cupul explained that when a formal complaint arises, an internal procedure activates, and if a possible crime is identified, the case is referred to the State Prosecutor’s Office. He emphasized that legal action requires concrete details, such as patrol car numbers, officer identification, time, and location.

The commander reported that under the current administration, at least five cases have been forwarded to Internal Affairs, and units are sent to the C5 center to review recordings, as patrols have active 24-hour video surveillance systems. He added that accused officers are rotated while investigations proceed, and if responsibility is proven, the file is sent to the prosecutor’s office.

Authorities urged the riders to file formal complaints to build strong cases that allow for accountability. The protesters reiterated that their intention is not confrontation but to work safely, though they made clear they will remain organized against any new allegations against state police in the municipality.