Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — An alleged international money laundering operator has been taken into custody in Playa del Carmen. The Thursday arrest was of Sergio Rafael De Marcos Cruz in the upscale community of Playacar.
Rafael De Marcos Cruz, alias “El Panameño”, was located and arrested during the execution of a search warrant in Playacar Phase 1. According to preliminary information, he has been identified as an alleged international financial operator dedicated to money laundering activities.
“El Panameño” was wanted by Interpol for his ties to money laundering and considered a high-priority target for security and intelligence agencies in Panama.
Sergio Rafael de Marcos Cruz was arrested during a joint operation by the FGR (Attorney General’s Office), the Secretariat of the Navy, and the Municipal Police in Playa del Carmen Thursday.
Local authorities have not publicly detailed the arrest or official charges.
On Wednesday, police in Cancun arrested Canadian fugitive Robert Skojo “El Rob” from his home in the Cancun Hotel Zone. According to Canadian police, Skojo was convicted of trafficking cocaine and considered dangerous.
The Thursday search was the third this week by police in high scale residential areas of Quintana Roo. On Monday, authorities searched the rented home of current Puerto Morelos mayor Blanca Merari.
That search was in connection to the person who owns the property. Authorities have not said if this week’s searches are related.
