Mexican Authorities Rescue 17 Alleged Human Trafficking Victims in Quintana Roo Bar

Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Mexico — Authorities rescued 17 women, alleged victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, during a raid on a bar in this Quintana Roo municipality on Monday.

The State Prosecutor’s Office (FGE), in coordination with the National Guard and the Mexican Navy, executed a search warrant at a bar located on Calle 76. Officials found 16 Mexican women and one Venezuelan woman working at the establishment.

Prosecutors obtained the judicial order after field and desk investigations indicated the location was offering sexual services.

Initial inquiries suggest the women were initially hired as waitresses but were later forced to provide sexual services. Authorities said clients paid 240 pesos for a drink with the women, while sexual services cost 1,500 pesos, with an additional 1,000 pesos if a client wanted to take a woman outside the bar.

Most of the women are single mothers who sought employment to support their families, officials reported.

Authorities seized the property, placing it under the custody of the State Prosecutor’s Office. They transferred the 17 women for institutional care and protection.