Prosecutors Rescue Teen Girl From Alleged Labor Exploitation in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — State prosecutors have rescued a teenage girl who was allegedly forced to work long hours as a street vendor after being recruited in Chiapas with promises of a well-paid job.

The Quintana Roo State Prosecutor’s Office said the investigation began with a complaint filed by the municipal DIF family services agency. Acting on that complaint, prosecutors requested and obtained search warrants for two properties and an arrest warrant for a man identified as Luis “N.”

Authorities are investigating his suspected role in human trafficking for the purpose of labor exploitation. The victim’s identity has been withheld.

The operation involved agents from the prosecutor’s office’s Investigation Police, along with personnel from the Mexican Navy, the National Guard, the State Police, the Municipal Police and the municipal DIF.

Alleged Recruitment in Chiapas

According to preliminary findings, Luis “N” recruited the teenager in Chiapas, offering her a well-paid job, transportation, decent housing and food. When she arrived in Playa del Carmen, he allegedly withheld her documents.

Investigators say he housed her at a home on Calle 42 Norte in the Zazil Há neighborhood and also moved her to a second property on Privada de la Cuarta Norte Bis in the city’s Centro district.

13-Hour Days, 150 Pesos in Pay

Early findings indicate the teenager worked from Monday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. — shifts prosecutors said exceeded the limits set by Mexico’s Federal Labor Law.

She also allegedly worked under dangerous conditions, selling goods as a street vendor and pushing carts loaded with coconuts and ice that could weigh more than 40 kilograms (about 88 pounds) each.

Prosecutors said the girl handed over 3,000 pesos a day to her boss in sales proceeds, while receiving 150 pesos a day in payment.

Evidence Seized During Searches

During the search of the first property, agents seized coconuts, two metal-bladed knives, a box of mangoes, documents, five cellphones and a smartwatch.

At the second property, they seized three gray carts, boxes containing bags, cans and straws, a screwdriver, four coolers, a wooden box, a knife and a video surveillance camera.

After completing the searches, agents placed seizure seals on both properties, which remain under the custody of the State Prosecutor’s Office. Authorities turned the seized items over to the Public Ministry, along with Luis “N,” who was also placed at the disposal of that authority.

Prosecutors will add the seized objects and the arrest to the corresponding investigation file, while the Public Ministry will determine the suspect’s legal status.