14 Colombian Women Freed From Trafficking Rings in Cancun and Playa del Carmen

Cancún, Quintana Roo — A joint operation by the Quintana Roo State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) and the National Guard (GN) culminated in the rescue of 14 Colombian women who were alleged victims of a human trafficking network operating in the modality of prostitution for others in Cancún and Playa del Carmen.

The rescue was carried out following the execution of search warrants at two properties, one located in Supermanzana 44 of Cancún and another in Playa del Carmen, which were operating as call houses and centers of exploitation.

A Promise of Work Leads to Exploitation

According to the FGE’s official statement 372/2025-FDN, the women were contacted in their country of origin with a promise of a “well-remunerated job” in Cancún. However, upon arriving in Mexico, they were met with a scenario of exploitation and debt slavery.

“Upon their arrival, they were stripped of their passports, and they were told they now had a debt of 120,000 pesos, which they had to pay off by providing sexual services,” detailed the Attorney General’s Office.

Initial investigations indicate that a Colombian friend of the victims acted as a recruiter, connecting them with the person in charge of the “agency,” who requested photographs of them in lingerie. After being “hired,” the agency paid for their airline tickets.

Once in the country, the women were taken to an apartment in Playa del Carmen, where they were stripped of their documents and saddled with the $120,000 peso debt.

An Impoverishing and Inescapable Debt Cycle

To pay off the debt, they were required to offer sexual services at a cost of $2,200 pesos per appointment, from which:

• $1,000 was allocated to paying down the debt.
• $700 was for the agency’s commission.
• $400 was charged for transportation.

The victims were left with only $100 pesos from each service, forcing them to rely on tips to survive.

Additionally, they had to pay $1,500 pesos weekly for the apartment rental and $3,000 pesos for “piso y cuidado” (a fee for operating territory and protection). The debt became unpayable, as failing to cover the quotas on time resulted in a $400 peso fine. Furthermore, any personal items or medical expenses automatically increased the amount owed.

Constant Surveillance and Confinement

The women were found in a state of confinement and constant surveillance. Authorities revealed that the victims were monitored day and night via cameras installed in the apartment. They were not permitted to leave, except to attend to clients or for essential purchases at a nearby store, where they were also forced to deposit the day’s earnings.

They were transported to appointments by a driver and were required to send their location in real-time; failure to do so resulted in a fine.

The Rescue Operation

The initial operation in Supermanzana 44 of Cancún led to the rescue of six women. Investigations led to the location of other addresses in Playa del Carmen, where eight more women were rescued, bringing the total number of victims to 14.

Following the rescue, the 14 women were taken to the FGE to give their official statements, which will be incorporated into the investigation file. Authorities have already notified the Colombian Consulate and the National Migration Institute to ensure the victims’ assistance and protection.