Nine Suspected Gang Members Arrested in Two Playa del Carmen Raids

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Nine people were arrested in two separate operations in the Ejido neighborhood of Playa del Carmen after state prosecutors and municipal police caught them allegedly selling drugs, authorities said.

The Quintana Roo State Prosecutor’s Office said officers made the arrests while carrying out investigative work, when they spotted several people behaving in ways consistent with the sale and possession of illegal substances.

First raid on Avenida 65 Sur

In the first operation, on Avenida 65 Sur, officers detained Juan Fernando “N”, Jovani “N”, José de la Cruz “N” and Gonzalo “N”, who they allegedly observed exchanging what appeared to be illegal substances.

A subsequent search turned up dried green plant material resembling marijuana, substances that looked like methamphetamine, cash, a cellphone and a gram scale, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Five more detained on Calle 3

In the second operation, on Calle 3 in the same neighborhood, officers arrested Brayan Jesús “N”, Adonai “N”, Luis Carlos “N”, Mayra Itzel “N” and Ester “N”. Officers seized substances similar to marijuana and methamphetamine in that raid, the prosecutor’s office reported.

Prosecutors probe possible gang links

The prosecutor’s office said preliminary inquiries link the nine detainees to a criminal group it blames for violence-generating activities and for the sale and supply of drugs in the municipality.

The detainees and the seized evidence were handed over to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which will determine their legal status within the period set by law. All nine are presumed innocent pending the outcome of the proceedings against them.