200 Arrested in Tulum Crackdown on Crime Networks

Tulum, Quintana Roo — The Attorney General of Quintana Roo, Raciel López Salazar, announced the arrest of 200 alleged criminals in the municipality of Tulum as part of ongoing efforts by the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) to combat organized crime groups operating in the area. While the exact timeframe of the arrests was not specified, López Salazar emphasized that all detainees are linked to violent criminal networks.

Recent Arrests Tied to Drug Trafficking and Extortion

During a press briefing, the prosecutor highlighted the most recent case, which occurred on April 29, when investigative police detained two men in the 2 de Octubre neighborhood of Tulum. The suspects, identified as Víctor Manuel, alias "El 8," and Ángel Raúl, alias "El Sonrisas," were found in possession of marijuana and traveling on a motorcycle, which was also seized.

Authorities confirmed that both individuals are members of a criminal gang involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and protection rackets. They are also suspected of involvement in an armed attack on April 28 in the same neighborhood, where an adult and a minor sustained gunshot wounds. The victims were transported to Playa del Carmen General Hospital and are now reported to be in stable condition.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from a nearby camera, which captured the assailants’ clothing and the motorcycle used in their escape. The evidence matched the descriptions of the detained suspects and the seized vehicle.

Suspects Recruited from Construction Sites

According to the FGE, the attack may have been motivated by a turf war between rival gangs over drug sales in the region. Víctor Manuel and Ángel Raúl were allegedly recruited from construction sites, where they worked as laborers, to distribute drugs among coworkers in exchange for weekly payments ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 pesos.

A judge formally charged both men with drug-related offenses and ordered them held in pretrial detention as the investigation continues into their potential involvement in the armed attack.

Crackdown on Organized Crime

With these two arrests, the FGE has now detained a total of 200 individuals in Tulum tied to criminal activities. The operations are part of a broader security strategy aimed at curbing violence in the popular tourist destination.

The Attorney General’s Office reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling criminal networks and restoring public safety in Quintana Roo. Further updates on the investigation are expected as authorities continue to pursue leads.