Tulum, Q.R. — With a search warrant in hand, authorities in Tulum have shut down an illegal construction project on Playa Santa Fe. In an official news brief, the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic (FGR) and the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) report closing down the illegal construction.
The National Guard provided security during the February 17th operation on the Santa Fe Beach Club property. The property, which is located in the Tulum National Park, was shut down for alleged damage to biodiversity and the environment.
The operation consisted of agents of the Federal Public Ministry (MPF), the Federal Ministerial Police (PFM), official architecture, biodiversity, photography and field criminalistics experts, as well as elements of the Quintana Roo State Police, the FGR reported in their statement.
During the operation, among other damages on the coastal dune, 14 platforms for cabins, four excavations for cisterns, three artificial water collectors, a construction with a foundation base, two industrial electric power transformers, three automobiles and 14 meters cubic wood were located.
“The foregoing implies damage to biodiversity and the environment due to the removal of vegetation, as well as the use of non-forest land, for which the property remained in the custody of the National Guard,” the FGR reported.
Meanwhile, testimonies were obtained from 22 workers which made it possible to identify two alleged perpetrators, one of whom has already been brought before the MPF as a detainee.
Surveillance will be maintained within and in the vicinity of this Protected Natural Area (ANP) to prevent the construction of infrastructure that is intended to be carried out illegally.
It is the second time since December that authorities have visited the site for illegal construction.
