Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — A total of seven Playa del Carmen taxi drivers were arrested in recent days on drug charges. The arrests stem from several anonymous reports. According to authorities, two of those taxi drivers have already been charged.
On Saturday, the FGE (State Attorney General) said the arrests were made during several operations where a total of nine people were taken into custody. Of those nine, seven were taxi drivers.
The operations were the result of anonymous reports made to police. The arrests took place outside establishments that ranged from hotels to residential areas. All are facing charges of “the crime of drug dealing,” the FGE said.
In a statement, the agency said as a result of various interventions in flagrante delicto carried out by elements of the Investigative Police in coordination with the Municipal Police of Playa del Carmen, nine people were arrested, including seven taxi drivers for their alleged participation in acts possibly constituting the crime of drug dealing in different parts of this municipality.
The actions stemmed from anonymous reports, intelligence work and patrols within the inter-institutional operation implemented to inhibit the sale of narcotics in tourist, commercial and residential areas.
In the first operation, Ángel Antonio “N” was arrested on the Chetumal-Cancun federal highway near the Corasol complex after being observed handling a green, dried plant material resembling marijuana. Two cell phones and a Suzuki Ertiga taxi were also seized from him.
Aldo Cruz “N” was arrested while handling a green, dried plant material resembling marijuana on Avenue Xcalacoco. Two cell phones and a Suzuki Ertiga taxi were seized from him.
In another operation in Punta Maroma, Efrén “N” and Antonio “N” were arrested. Both taxi drivers were caught exchanging a green leafy substance resembling marijuana. Officers seized three cell phones and a JAC taxi from them.
Outside the Vidanta Riviera Maya Hotel, Sergio “N” and Miguel Omar “N” were arrested. Both taxi drivers were caught exchanging doses of what appeared to be marijuana. Two cell phones and two taxis were seized.
Jesús Alfredo “N” was arrested in the Ejidal neighborhood while handling a green, dried plant material resembling marijuana next to a taxi where more doses were found. A cell phone and the taxi were also seized.
Guilibaldo “N” and Alejandro “N” were arrested in the Palmas I subdivision and on 25th Avenue North, respectively, when agents were carrying out investigation work and surprised both subjects handling a green plant similar to marijuana.
It should be noted that taxi drivers Ángel Antonio “N” and Aldo “N” were formally charged by the judicial authorities for their alleged involvement in drug dealing, specifically possession with intent to distribute.
In the case of Aldo “N”, the judge also ordered him to be held in pretrial detention for the duration of the proceedings.
