Bacalar, Q.R. — After a tense weekend of highway roadblocks, state authorities say eight people are now in custody. They were arrested during raids that were carried out in the small town of Limones located in the municipality of Bacalar.
Police raided over a dozen homes Sunday night in response to the ongoing highway roadblocks that created a kilometers-long line of traffic. The raids came on the heels of the third roadblock set up by residents being encouraged by a member of a criminal group.
People from Limones continued to block the federal 307 highway Sunday after, police said, they were incited by a gang member through a community WhatsApp group. It was the third time a fiery roadblock had been set up in as many days. On Friday night, authorities dismantled a highway roadblock outside Limones made by the same group.
On Sunday, police said they executed 15 search warrants and arrested a total of eight people. “Among those arrested,” police reported “is Heydi Esmeralda “N”, a relative of Jesús “N”, alias “Pelusa”, who was killed by authorities on February 2 of this year.”
Members of the state’s Interinstitutional Group simultaneously executed 15 search warrants in the community of Limones, they said. “Eight people were arrested, four males and four females, in addition to seizing substances similar to narcotics, cars and motorcycles.”
Police reported that in custody they have Heydi Esmeralda “N”, Beatriz “N”, Elvira Judith “N”, Zeili Mariela “N”, Jesús Emmanuel “N”, René “N”, Cristian Jafed “N” and Santos Eduardo “N”.
The latter, they reported, had a re-arrest order for aggravated injuries.
According to initial investigations, Heydi Esmeralda “N” is identified as the person who allegedly incited residents through a WhatsApp messaging application to block the federal highway 307 as well as to burn vehicles.
Police said Heydi Esmeralda “N” is a relative of Jesús “N”, alias “Pelusa”, an alleged member of a criminal group that generates violence, dedicated to drug dealing, homicide and extortion in the community. He was killed by authorities on February 2 of this year.
“As a result of these proceedings, doses of suspected narcotics were seized in the properties intervened as well as five vehicles, including one armored vehicle, and three motorcycles,” police stated.
“Following the execution of the court orders, agents placed seizure seals on 14 properties which were then placed under the custody of the State Attorney General’s Office.”
