Seven Alleged Gang Members Bound Over for Trial in Cancún Drug Case

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Seven people have been ordered to stand trial on street-level drug charges in this Caribbean resort city after state prosecutors presented evidence to judges, the Quintana Roo State Prosecutor’s Office said.

The suspects were identified as José de Jesús “N”, Alejandro “N”, Alexis de Jesús “N”, Ricardo “N”, Miguel “N”, Lubia “N” and Freddy Alberto “N” — a format Mexican authorities use to publish names while limiting exposure of full identities. All seven were ordered held in pretrial detention for one year as a precautionary measure.

The case is being handled in the municipality of Benito Juárez, which includes Cancún, on charges of crimes against health in the form of small-scale drug sales, known in Mexico as narcomenudeo.

Arrests on Avenida Mallorca

The first arrests took place on Avenida Mallorca in the Jardines del Sur subdivision, part of Supermanzana 326, where police caught six men — one of them a minor — in the act, according to the prosecutor’s office.

José de Jesús and Alejandro were bound over for trial on charges of supplying marijuana. Alexis de Jesús faces proceedings for alleged possession of marijuana with intent to supply, while Ricardo — also known by the aliases “Viejón” and “Apa” — was bound over for alleged possession of marijuana. The judge ordered the four adults held in pretrial detention for one year.

Prosecutors said preliminary investigations indicate the detainees belonged to a violence-generating criminal group dedicated to drug sales, which Ricardo allegedly led.

The minor was handed over to the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Crimes Committed by Adolescents, while another of the adults is under investigation for alleged involvement in a qualified homicide.

Three More Suspects in Separate Hearings

In separate hearings, Miguel was bound over for trial for alleged supply of marijuana and methamphetamine, while Lubia faces charges of allegedly possessing both substances with intent to supply. In a third proceeding, Freddy Alberto was charged with allegedly supplying marijuana.

Judges ordered all three held in pretrial detention for one year.

The prosecutor’s office said the rulings came after judges reviewed the evidence presented by its specialized unit for combating street-level drug dealing. It noted that being bound over for trial allows investigations to continue under judicial supervision and does not, by itself, constitute a conviction.