Cancun, Quintana Roo — Mexican authorities rescued eight women from a sex trafficking ring that lured victims with promises of high earnings as escorts, then forced them into prostitution under death threats, officials said.
The State Prosecutor’s Office, working with the National Guard, executed a search warrant at a property on Isla Holbox Street in Supermanzana 32, where they found three Mexican women and one U.S. citizen. A second raid on Canario Street in Supermanzana 523 led to the rescue of four more Mexican women. The victims came from the states of Colima and Jalisco, as well as Chicago, Illinois.
Investigators seized surveillance cameras, cell phones, SIM cards, suspected marijuana, condoms, and notebooks detailing services provided.
According to the investigation, traffickers recruited victims through friends, promising lucrative work as escorts. They offered to cover travel and lodging expenses, exploiting the women’s financial vulnerability. Upon arrival in Cancun, the victims were told they owed between 6,000 and 10,000 pesos (roughly $300 to $500).
The women were forced to perform up to five sexual services per day in 12-hour shifts, charging clients 2,500 pesos each. The traffickers took 50% of the earnings. Victims were compelled to work even during menstruation and faced death threats against themselves and their families, along with physical abuse and financial penalties that made their debts impossible to repay.
Both properties were secured and placed under the custody of the State Prosecutor’s Office. The women were transferred to appropriate authorities for protection and comprehensive care.
