Yucatán Police Accused of Ties to Car Theft Ring

Mérida, Yucatán — Victims of a vehicle fraud scheme have accused high-ranking officials within the Yucatán State Public Security Secretariat (SSP) of protecting a car theft ring, deepening concerns over corruption and police misconduct. Shocking videos have surfaced showing officers from the State Investigative Police (PEI) torturing a member of the criminal group, further fueling allegations of systemic abuse and collusion.

Torture and Internal Disputes Exposed

The victims provided disturbing footage in which a man nicknamed "El Jasso" is seen being brutally beaten, kicked, and stomped by alleged PEI officers. According to their accounts, the assault stemmed from an internal dispute over profits from the sale of cloned luxury vehicles. Among the attackers identified was Commander Mariano Rodríguez Salazar, who appears in the videos assaulting the detained individual.

Corruption Allegations Reach High-Ranking Officials

The accusations extend beyond acts of torture. Citizens who purchased stolen vehicles claim to have filed formal complaints with the State Attorney General’s Office in prior years. Investigation files G9-395-2022, G8-799-2022, and G9-1048-2021 reportedly contain direct evidence linking state police officers to these crimes, as well as the assault on "El Jasso."

A leaked phone recording, shared by one of the complainants, allegedly captures a witness stating that PEI Director Juan Gabriel Ramírez Jiménez, known as "El Grillo," receives protection payments from a luxury vehicle cloning network. The recording aligns with torture footage shared earlier this year with at least two local media outlets. One outlet allegedly altered the facts, while the other chose not to publish the story, reportedly due to pressure.

Calls for Independent Investigation

The severity of these allegations demands a transparent and impartial investigation, as they implicate not only corruption and cover-ups but also grave human rights violations committed within the state’s security apparatus. Among those accused are current SSP Undersecretary Carlos Eduardo Flores Moo and PEI Director Ramírez Jiménez.

The case highlights systemic issues within Yucatán’s law enforcement, raising urgent questions about accountability and the integrity of those entrusted with public safety.