Five Colombian Women Rescued from Sex Trafficking Operation in Cancún; Suspect Charged

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Authorities rescued five Colombian women from a human trafficking operation in Cancún and a judge has ordered a suspect to stand trial on charges of human trafficking and deprivation of liberty.

A control judge issued the formal charging order against a man identified as Jesús Manuel N for his alleged involvement in the crimes. The case involves five Colombian women who authorities say were being held against their will in a residence in this municipality.

The operation began after an emergency call alerted officials to people being held against their will at a home on Bolonchén Street in the Paseo del Mayab subdivision in Superblock 56. When authorities arrived at the property, they heard cries for help from inside, which allowed them to enter and secure the five victims.

According to the investigation, the recruitment mechanism began in Colombia, where the victims were contacted with false job promises. Three of them were offered employment as convenience store clerks, but were not informed about transportation costs, which later became an unpayable debt.

The victims, described as vulnerable single mothers lacking job opportunities in their home country, agreed to travel to Mexico. Upon arrival, authorities said their passports were taken and they were transported to the Superblock 56 residence, where they were told each had to pay 120,000 pesos to regain their freedom and return home.

The investigation established that the women were forced to perform sexual services under a financial exploitation scheme:

• Service cost: 2,500 pesos
• Debt payment: 1,000 pesos
• Commission: 1,000 pesos
• Remaining for victim: 500 pesos

From the remaining money, the women had to cover a weekly rent payment of 3,000 pesos, plus extortion fees and the cost of their own food. During their captivity, they were prohibited from leaving the property and subjected to constant threats to prevent escape attempts.

Following the suspect’s arrest, authorities executed a search warrant at the residence, where they seized personal documents, cell phone chips, and service receipts that were added to the investigation file.

After evaluating the evidence presented, the judicial authority ordered Jesús Manuel N to stand trial and imposed preventive detention as a precautionary measure for the duration of the legal proceedings.