Extortion Epidemic in Quintana Roo: Shocking Stat Revealed

James Tobin Cunningham, coordinator of the Citizen Security and Justice Boards in Quintana Roo, revealed that only 3.1% of extortion crimes in the last eight years have been officially reported to the State Attorney General's Office (FGE). Despite approximately 32,000 anonymous reports, only about 1,000 cases have been formally investigated.

Cunningham explained that a recent study found that over the past eight years, the state received over one million extortion calls. The criminals demanded a total of 850 million pesos from their victims, successfully collecting 126 million, or 14.82% of the requested amount.

The most common type of extortion reported anonymously involved charges for the right of way. The year 2020 saw the highest number of these extortion calls.

During this same period, the FGE arrested 88 individuals involved in extortion in Benito Juárez, Solidaridad, Tulum, and Cozumel. Of those arrested, 84% were linked to the crime, and 12% received prison sentences of up to 37 years. Victims of these crimes included owners of restaurants, bars, hardware stores, laundromats, and tourist service agencies.

Cunningham emphasized the need for new strategies to combat extortion and protect the residents and businesses of Quintana Roo, given the high number of unreported cases. Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa has pledged to intensify efforts to eliminate extortion in the state.