Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — Three minors from the state of Chiapas were rescued from what authorities say was a labor exploitation situation. All three, police said, worked 12 hour shifts selling corn cups and corn on the cob in the center of Playa del Carmen.
Following their investigation, an arrest warrant was executed against Angélica “N”, for her involvement. The rescue of the minors was announced Monday during a press conference held by the Quintana Roo Peace Cabinet.
Representing Attorney General Raciel López Salazar, Southern District Prosecutor Estela Labastida Rodríguez reported that following investigations and the subsequent execution of four search warrants, authorities rescued three girls.
The girls were potential victims of acts likely constituting human trafficking in the form of labor exploitation, they said. Additionally, a woman allegedly connected to their exploitation was arrested.
The girls were rescued following a formal complaint. Authorities rescued the three female minors they said had been recruited by Angélica “N,” alias “La Patrona”, to perform tasks such as cleaning and washing corn kernels and dishes, as well as general cleaning, before going out to sell elotes and esquites in the city center between 1:00 PM and 1:00 AM.
The minors were transported to the city center with pots and other supplies on tricycles modified for selling the aforementioned products. These sales generated between 4,400 and 10,800 pesos per shift; from this revenue, Angélica “N” paid them a wage below the legal minimum.
As a result of the rescue of the three adolescents, who are from the municipality of Tenejapa, Chiapas, the State Attorney General’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for Angélica “N”.
The FGE reported Monday that they have executed four search warrants in Playa del Carmen related to this case.
