Six Men Arrested for Extortion in Cozumel, Demanded Monthly Payments for ‘Protection’

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — State prosecutors have arrested six men accused of extorting a tour vendor on the island of Cozumel, demanding monthly payments of 50,000 pesos (about $2,500) as a so-called “derecho de piso” or protection fee.

The Quintana Roo Attorney General’s Office said investigators from the state police, working with the Public Security Department, served arrest warrants for Bismarck Yahir “N,” Luis Diego “N,” Cuitláhuac “N,” Luis Fernando “N,” Álvaro “N,” and Nelson “N.”

According to the investigation, the alleged extortion took place on September 29, 2025, at the Muelle Fiscal dock in Cozumel. The suspects reportedly arrived armed and demanded the victim pay 50,000 pesos each month to continue selling tours. The victim made the payments for several months before filing a complaint.

After building a case file, prosecutors obtained arrest warrants from a judge, which investigators executed. The six suspects have been handed over to the judicial authorities, who will determine their legal status within the constitutional timeframe.