Puerto Morelos, Q.R. — An investigation has begun into the shooting that left two dead on a beach in Petempich Bay of Puerto Morelos Thursday. In a press release, the Attorney General (FGE) reported that the shooting took place between a group of drug dealers.
In their statement, the agency detailed that two men lost their lives after being shot by members of a criminal group dedicated to drug dealing. Preliminary information by the FGE says a group of four or five arrived at the beach around 11:30 a.m. to take charge of that area for the sale of drugs. Two from that group stayed behind.
Shortly after 2:00 p.m. a second group of 15 people arrived and approached those two men. One of the men was captured after attempting to take shelter inside the hotel. He was found dead. The second man ran down the beach and was also found dead.
A third person, a visitor to the area, was injured and treated at hospital.
In a briefing, state Governor Carlos Joaquín said that all corporations of the Quintana Roo police are working to clarify the events that lead to the death of the two men.
“We have been very attentive to what is happening in Puerto Morelos with the tourism secretariat and with the hotel people who work there, to resume activities,” explained Joaquin.
“Obviously they (drug dealers) want to damage the recovery process of Quintana Roo,” he declared adding that although the tourist was not seriously injured, the fact remains that this is a strong blow to the development of the state.
“A crime group that attacked another opposing group puts the image of the state at risk,” he said stressing that the Ministry of Public Security has taken over the protection of the facilities, while the State Attorney General’s Office has already begun an investigation.
“The investigation will allow us to know exactly what happened,” Joaquin said clarifying that the attack was the result of a criminal group, which are people who arrive from other parts of the country to seek to maintain the commercialization of illicit products.
He said that they create a situation like this, which generates a very complicated matter of care, attention and security for each and everyone in the state, including visitors.
After the shooting, the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Mexico released a message for U.S. citizens. On their website, the agency said “we are aware of a shooting incident in the beach area near the Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancun and the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun in Puerto Morelos.
“Mexican authorities are responding to the situation. We advise U.S. citizens in the area to contact concerned family and/or friends to let them know they are safe. Affected U.S. citizens should follow the instructions of local authorities and call 911 if they have an emergency situation.
“U.S. citizens who need information or assistance can contact the U.S. Consulate in Merida. Actions to take:
- Monitor the local news for updates, follow directions from local officials, and in case of emergency, call 911.
- Avoid crowds.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Review your personal security plans.
- Contact the U.S. Consulate or Embassy if you need assistance.”
