Man charged with extortion in Cancún businesses

José Gabriel “N” Linked to Process for Extortion of Businesses in Cancún

The Attorney General’s Office of Quintana Roo obtained the linking to process of José Gabriel “N”, identified as the alleged perpetrator of the crime of extortion against a commercial establishment located in the municipality of Benito Juárez. The Control Judge also determined to impose the precautionary measure of preventive detention for the duration of the judicial process.

According to Communication 438/2025-FDN, issued on the afternoon of Saturday, December 13, the resolution came after analysis of the evidence presented by the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office in Combating Kidnapping and Extortion Crimes. The judicial authority considered that there are sufficient elements to presume the defendant’s involvement in a series of intimidation acts and collection of “protection money.”

According to investigations, José Gabriel “N” would be a member of a criminal group dedicated to extorting businesses. In January of this year, the defendant and other individuals went to a business located on José López Portillo Avenue, in Supermanzana 74, where they allegedly displayed firearms and demanded a monthly payment of 20,000 pesos in exchange for not causing damage to the establishment.

Subsequently, in July, the now defendant returned to the business to inform that payments should be made via bank transfer. In September, he delivered to a witness a box containing a radio and a new bank account, indicating that communication would be through that medium and warning that, if deposits were not made, they would attack the business.

In October, the victims suspended payments, leading to pressure calls and threats. In November, José Gabriel “N” went again to the establishment, removed the radio, and, through intimidation, tried to force employees to answer calls. Failing to do so, he continued with demands via emails.

On November 20, a woman delivered a cell phone to an employee, from which a man demanded five thousand pesos. The worker delivered two thousand pesos and days later the defendant returned to receive another two thousand. Finally, in December, they left a written message with threats, which prompted the formal complaint.

As a result of the investigations, the Prosecutor’s Office requested and obtained an arrest warrant, which was executed by the Investigation Police. After the initial hearing, the Control Judge linked José Gabriel “N” to process and ordered his preventive detention.