Suspect in 2023 Cancún Kidnapping Arrested in Chihuahua After Nearly Three Years

Police escort a handcuffed suspect in Quintana Roo following his arrest and transfer to Cancún for a kidnapping case dating to 2023

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Nearly three years after a kidnapping in Cancún, Quintana Roo state prosecutors have secured a pretrial ruling against Brayan Asaf “N,” accused of taking part in the abduction of a man whose captors demanded 5 million pesos for his release.

Investigators say the victim had just left a mechanic’s shop in the Las Islas subdivision, in Superblock 216, and was walking to his car on Nov. 14, 2023, when the attack occurred.

Brayan Asaf “N” and another man allegedly threatened him with a firearm and forced him into a vehicle, then drove him to a property in an informal settlement near Arco Norte, where he was held against his will, according to the case file.

Family Paid 400,000 Pesos for His Release

While holding the victim captive, the alleged kidnappers contacted his relatives and demanded 5 million pesos, threatening to kill him if the money was not paid, prosecutors said.

The family ultimately handed over 400,000 pesos. The victim was released the following day, blindfolded, near Plaza Héroes.

The State Prosecutor’s Office said investigators used technological, field and desk-work techniques that led them to Brayan Asaf “N” in the state of Chihuahua, where officers executed an arrest warrant against him. He was later transferred to Benito Juárez to face prosecution.

During a hearing, a control judge linked him to proceedings for his alleged role in what prosecutors described as aggravated kidnapping and ordered two years of pretrial detention as a precautionary measure.

Prosecutors noted that three other men tied to the same kidnapping have already been sentenced to 70 years in prison: José Alfredo Gómez Trinidad, Edgar Fernando Andrade González and Denis Ángel Rodríguez Galván.

The case against Brayan Asaf “N” will continue as prosecutors pursue their investigation and his legal status is determined as the criminal proceedings advance.

By Javier Mendez

Javier Mendez covers public safety, law enforcement, and legal affairs in Quintana Roo. He monitors official reports from the FGE (State Prosecutor's Office), the Mexican Navy, and municipal police to deliver accurate English summaries of crime, trafficking cases, arrests, and court rulings affecting the Riviera Maya region.Javier has been covering crime and public safety news since 2023, reporting on cases ranging from felony arrests and human trafficking investigations to court proceedings and organized crime-related incidents across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Chetumal. His reporting provides English-speaking residents and travelers with reliable, timely information about safety conditions in Quintana Roo's major tourist destinations.Javier works closely with official government sources and press offices to verify facts before publication, and maintains an archive of law enforcement communications to provide context for ongoing stories. He is dedicated to accurate, factual reporting on complex safety issues that affect both residents and visitors to the region.For story tips: javier@rivieramayanews.mx