Holbox, Q.R. — Two criminal gang leaders police say were extorting Holbox businesses are in police custody. One of them, a lawyer, is accused of extorting island businesses to control their private security cameras.
Members of the Centurion Group of the SSC (Secretariat of Citizen Security), in coordination with the Mexican Navy, the Secretariat of National Defense and National Guard, made the arrests.
The SSC (Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana) says Guadalupe Ramón “N” and Jhonatan “N” were arrested for alleged involvement in drug trafficking. Since their arrests, they are being investigated for extortion.
Police say both “individuals are identified as suspected leaders of criminal groups on Holbox Island.”
In a statement, the SSC reported that “Guadalupe Ramón “N” is a lawyer and accountant, and is also allegedly involved in extorting local business owners to obtain protection money and control over their private security cameras.”
Both men were arrested on Canane Street on the island earlier this week after police “observed two men behind an ATV exchanging several small, clear plastic bags containing a green, leafy substance resembling marijuana,” they said.
“The incident occurred on Canane Street near the corner of Gonzalo Guerrero Street next to a wooden fence on Holbox Island, in the municipality of Lázaro Cárdenas, where the corresponding search was conducted.
“Authorities seized the following items: a backpack, a fanny pack, 138 small, clear, Ziploc-type plastic bags containing a green, dried plant material resembling marijuana, six cell phones, a notebook and a red and black Can-An ATV without license plates.
“The suspects were turned over to the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Drug Trafficking.”
Police presence on the island was stepped up in late February due to citizen complaints of drug dealing and extortion attempts. In March, at least four drug-related arrests were made, once of which was of a suspected Sinola cartel leader.
