Tulum, Q.R. — Four youths picked up on drug offences are being investigated for their involvement in Sunday’s fires. State authorities said plastic bottles filled with gasoline were found in their possession at the time of their arrests.
All four were taken into custody separately Monday. During one of the arrests, police officers were fired at. Officers shot back, injuring the man in the leg. He was transferred to Tulum hospital where he remains under police guard.
The State Attorney General (FGE) reported on the separate arrests of four male individuals for their probable involvement in acts possibly constituting the crime of drug dealing.
Two of the youths were arrested in the October 2nd neighborhood by agents of the Investigation Police. Carlos “N” and Henry Geovany “N” were arrested after they were seen exchanging alleged narcotics.
“After identifying themselves, the officers were attacked with a firearm by Carlos “N” a situation that was repelled by authorities in accordance with established protocols, by subduing the individuals.
“During the search, they seized a green, dried substance resembling marijuana, a semi-automatic handgun, and bottles containing a yellow liquid similar to gasoline,” the FGE reported in a statement.
“In this incident, Carlos “N” suffered an injury to his left leg and was taken to a hospital, where his condition is reported as stable,” they added. Carlos “N” and Henry Geovany “N” were taken into custody in coordination with elements of the National Defense Secretariat and the Tulum Municipal Police.
“In another incident, investigators, in coordination with the Mexican Army and municipal police arrested José Ángel “N” and Arturo Emiliano “N” in the vicinity of 12th Street South in the La Veleta neighborhood.
“They seized two backpacks containing doses of substances similar to marijuana and crack cocaine as well as bottles containing a liquid similar to gasoline.”
Police said that “the detainees may be related to the criminal acts that occurred on February 22 of this year, when commercial establishments and vehicles were set on fire.”
An OXXO convenience store in the La Veleta neighborhood of Tulum was one of the vandalized businesses. The store was set on fire after vandals threw gasoline at the front before running off.
According to police, José Ángel “N” and Arturo Emiliano “N” were arrested in the vicinity of 12th Street South in the La Veleta neighborhood Monday.
On Sunday, at least three vehicles and two businesses in Tulum were vandalized during the nation-wide gang violence in retaliation in the death of a CJNG criminal gang leader.
