Uber Driver Arrested in Cancún Sparks Protests Over Drug Planting

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Public outrage has erupted in Cancún following the arrest of José Elías, a 32-year-old Uber driver, during a purported security operation conducted by municipal police in coordination with federal forces. What began as a routine inspection escalated into a citizen-led protest and a partial roadblock on Avenida Nichupté after family members and fellow drivers accused authorities of planting drugs on the driver.

Allegations of Police Misconduct

According to testimonies from the detainee’s wife and other witnesses, José Elías was transporting passengers when he was stopped on Uxmal Avenue by municipal officers and uniformed personnel from the Navy, Army, and National Guard as part of the "Blindaje Cancún" operation. They claim that after finding nothing illicit, officers allegedly planted narcotics to justify his arrest, falsely charging him with drug dealing.

"He worked every day to support his family. He is not a criminal. They haven’t shown us any real evidence—they just accused him without letting him defend himself," his wife, identified as Laura M., tearfully stated.

Immediately after the arrest, drivers from ride-hailing platforms such as Uber and Didi gathered outside the oral trial courthouses to protest. They partially blocked traffic between regions 212 and 213, demanding the release of the father of two and calling for an end to what they describe as a systemic practice of fabricating charges to artificially boost security statistics.

Authorities’ Response and Counterclaims

Authorities reported that José Elías was detained alongside four other men, allegedly found in possession of multiple doses of various drugs, including marijuana, crystal meth, LSD, crack, and cocaine. However, protesters insist that no contraband was discovered on the driver during the initial search and that the official report was falsified.

"Who checks the police when they carry drugs? Who stops them when they abuse their uniforms?" one protester questioned.

This incident is not isolated. Civil organizations and human rights groups have previously warned about the misuse of joint operations to justify arbitrary arrests, plant evidence, and build cases without proper investigations. Activists suggest that internal quotas or financial incentives may be driving these practices.

"It’s shameful that instead of protecting citizens, the police target and criminalize them. We can’t trust a system that detains innocent people while shielding real criminals," a driver declared during the protest.

Calls for Transparency and Justice

Protesters vow to continue demonstrations until the case is reviewed transparently, José Elías is released, and the officers involved are held accountable. They also demand a thorough investigation into the operation where the alleged drug planting occurred.

As of now, neither the State Attorney General’s Office nor the Secretariat of Citizen Security has responded to allegations of abuse of authority or evidence tampering. The detainee’s wife pledged to keep fighting for justice:

"We won’t stay silent. Today it was him—tomorrow, it could be anyone."