Nine Arrested in Cancún Over ‘Gota a Gota’ Loan Shark Extortion Ring

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Authorities in Quintana Roo have arrested nine men accused of belonging to an extortion cell that operated a “gota a gota” — or “drop by drop” — loan scheme in Cancún, state security officials said.

Officials said the suspects are originally from Jalisco, Tabasco and Michoacán, a detail that sets the case apart from previous crackdowns, in which the cells were made up mainly of foreigners, most of them Colombians. Those groups lend money to borrowers who cannot repay, then threaten and attack them.

According to the Quintana Roo State Prosecutor’s Office, the arrests were carried out in two separate operations, one in Supermanzana 251 and another in Supermanzana 224. Investigative Police officers took part, alongside the Mexican Navy, the National Guard and the Cancún Public Security Department.

Among those detained was Ricardo, 39, known by the nicknames “El Viejón” and “El Apá.” Authorities identified the other suspects from Jalisco as José de Jesús, 28, alias “El Güero”; Alexis de Jesús, 27; José Manuel, 24; and a 17-year-old identified as Jonathan Gerardo.

The remaining four suspects come from Tabasco and Michoacán. They are Miguel, alias “El Flaco”; Luvia, known as “La Pelona”; Freddy Alberto, alias “El Freddy”; and Alejandro, 31, who is from Michoacán.

Investigators said all nine arrived in Cancún in July, traveling from Jalisco with plans to establish themselves in the area, issue loans and hold on to the proceeds. Ricardo allegedly led the group, while the others handled tasks such as moving weapons, recruiting new members, driving and running errands.

Their targets, according to the investigation, included small businesses in Cancún and people in urgent need of cash. The group offered loans ranging from small amounts to much larger sums, then extorted the borrowers and seized their belongings once the debts became unpayable.

During the operations, authorities seized:

• 24 firearms: 11 9-millimeter pistols and 13 AR-15 rifles in 5.56 and .223 calibers
• 1,731 rounds of ammunition of various calibers and 70 magazines
• 11 tactical vests and 22 ballistic plates
• Communications radios and tactical clothing
• Two Chevrolet Suburban SUVs, one of them armored, and two motorcycles
• Doses of marijuana, cocaine, crack and crystal meth

Officers also found a notebook listing names and addresses of businesses, possibly victims the group had been extorting in Cancún. All nine suspects remain in custody.