Four Suspected Cartel Members Arrested on Cenote Route in Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo — A joint operation between state investigative police and municipal officers led to the arrest of four men suspected of belonging to a high-risk criminal cell on the highway connecting Puerto Morelos to Leona Vicario, near an archaeological site.

The suspects were identified as Ezequiel Lucas N., Enrique N., Bryan Alejandro N., and Eduardo Neftalí N. Authorities seized six assault rifles, a 9mm pistol, approximately 270 rounds of ammunition, tactical vests, and bags of marijuana from their compact vehicle.

Employees at the scene alerted police by radio after noticing the officers’ presence, enabling the intervention.

According to the State Prosecutor’s Office, the cell is directly linked to the kidnapping and subsequent murder of a 24-year-old woman reported missing on May 16 in Cancún. Her body was later found on the so-called Cenote Route.

Preliminary investigations suggest the crime was motivated by drug dealing. The victim’s death left four minors orphaned.

The four suspects were handed over to a control judge, who ordered pretrial detention while their legal status is resolved and their possible involvement in other high-impact crimes in the northern part of the state is investigated.