Puerto Morelos, Q.R. — Two teenagers and one senior citizen were removed from a business for labor exploitation. Authorities removed the three people from working inside a Leona Vicario hardware store located in the municipality of Puerto Morelos.
On Thursday, authorities paid a visit to the store in response to complaints. Before they left, Investigative Police also arrested the store’s manager, Heberto José “N”.
As a result of investigations carried out by the Investigative Police, the State Attorney General (FGE) executed a search warrant at an establishment located in the town of Leona Vicario.
There, they arrested a man “for his probable involvement in acts possibly constituting the crime of human trafficking in its form of labor exploitation,” police explained.
The operation took place at a business located on the highway in the town of Leona Vicario where two teenagers and an elderly person were working.
“These individuals were forced to carry various construction materials and were mistreated by the supervisor in addition to being exposed to physical hazards due to the lack of protective equipment.
“The victims worked from Monday to Sunday, exceeding the hours permitted by the Federal Labor Law, in exchange for a bi-weekly salary of 1,500 pesos. As a result of these events, Heberto José “N”, the manager of the establishment, was arrested,” they added.
After the removal of the employees and arrest of the manager, authorities proceeded to close the store.
“The two teenagers and the elderly person were taken into protective custody and referred to the appropriate authorities to ensure their protection, comprehensive care, and access to their rights,” reported the FGE.
