Mexican Authorities Investigate Gym Chain for Alleged Cartel Money Laundering

Merida, Yucatan — Mexican authorities are investigating a chain of gyms in Yucatan and Quintana Roo that they suspect is being used by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) to launder money, according to investigative reports.

The chain, Armor GYM, operates at least eight locations in Merida, Puerto Progreso, and Tulum. Investigators believe the gyms serve as a front to legitimize illicit proceeds from Quintana Roo and parts of Tabasco, with ties to CJNG cells that have expanded into the Yucatan Peninsula, displacing local groups and the Sinaloa Cartel.

Cash is reportedly delivered to the gyms and recorded as legitimate earnings from memberships and services. A separate accounting firm then processes the cleaned money. Employees told investigators they were systematically instructed to falsify user and sales records, including creating phantom clients, to justify high revenues.

The Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) has identified the gym chain as one of several businesses under scrutiny. The UIF has previously warned that such establishments are frequently used for money laundering.

The case has drawn additional attention because the alleged operator of the gym network is Emanuel Alcántara Heredia, brother of Aylin Alcántara Heredia, a former beauty queen, influencer, and current public official in the Yucatan state government. Aylin Alcántara won the Miss Teen Globe pageant in 2019 and was queen of the Xmatkuil fair. She later worked on Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena’s campaign and was appointed director of fair promotion before being reassigned to manage the Siglo XXI cinemas under Cultur. She has faced accusations of being a no-show employee, focusing instead on content creation, and has been questioned about the source of her wealth after flaunting luxury watches and a diamond ring.

Other businesses under investigation include the Like bar chain, in which former Governor Rolando Zapata Bello and other political figures reportedly hold stakes. The UIF considers Yucatan a hotspot for criminal money laundering.

Another figure linked to the probe is Mario Millet Encalada, who is suspected of helping criminal groups, including the CJNG and La Barredora, launder money through a network of shell companies.