Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo — A judge has formally charged a man with sex trafficking for allegedly forcing 11 women into prostitution at a bar in Isla Mujeres, officials said.
The suspect, identified only as José N., was taken into custody after the Quintana Roo State Prosecutor’s Office obtained a search warrant for the bar on Rueda Medina Avenue, between Boca Nueva and Isla Blanca streets. During the search, investigators found 11 women working at the establishment.
According to the investigation, José N. recruited the women by exploiting their financial hardship, promising them high earnings as waitresses, bar hostesses and dancers. Once they began working, he allegedly required them to hand over their national voter ID cards, health insurance cards and proof of address — documents he then kept, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said the withheld documents were used to keep track of the women and keep them under surveillance, making it harder for them to leave. José N. also allegedly imposed a daily quota of 2,000 pesos. To meet it, the women were forced to provide sexual services priced between 1,500 and 2,500 pesos, according to evidence presented in court. Those who failed to show up for work were allegedly subjected to intimidation and threats.
After reviewing the evidence, a judge ordered José N. to stand trial and placed him in pretrial detention for two years or for the duration of the proceedings. The identities of the 11 women are being protected, the prosecutor’s office said. The investigation is ongoing.
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