Cancún cops charged in extortion scheme targeting woman

Cancún, Mexico — The Quintana Roo State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) has formally charged Armando René "N" and Mario Carlos "N," both Investigation Police officers assigned to Cancún’s hotel zone, for their alleged involvement in an extortion scheme targeting a local woman.

Details of the Alleged Crime

The incident under investigation occurred on June 21, when the two officers reportedly arrived at the victim’s residence in Supermanzana 251. According to the FGE, the officers allegedly threatened the woman with arrest, claiming there were active case files against her. They then demanded 250,000 pesos (approximately $12,500 USD) in exchange for dropping the charges and "erasing" the alleged records.

Fearing arrest, the victim requested time to gather the funds. Over the following days, the accused allegedly intensified pressure by sending repeated text messages demanding payment.

Escalation and Arrest

The situation escalated on June 30, when Armando René "N" allegedly confronted the victim’s daughter at her workplace—a hotel in the Cancún hotel zone—pressuring her to convince her mother to pay the demanded sum. The officer reportedly threatened the young woman with termination if the payment was not made.

Following the victim’s formal complaint, the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Kidnapping and Extortion Crimes secured arrest warrants for both officers. After their apprehension and the conclusion of mandatory legal proceedings, the two were formally charged.

Judicial Measures

A judge granted the prosecution’s request for pretrial detention, ordering both defendants to remain in custody for up to one year or until the judicial process concludes.

The case highlights ongoing concerns over corruption within law enforcement agencies in Quintana Roo, particularly in Cancún, a region heavily reliant on tourism and security. Authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the officers’ employment status or potential disciplinary actions.