Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The tactical drone team of the Secretary of Citizen Security (SSC), Itzamná, located criminals and suspicious boats from the air. The 39 people known to police were identified last week using tactical drones in 43 coastal flyovers between December 20 and 26.
Of the criminals located, three were arrested when they were found breaking the law during the drone flyovers. The drones were used despite the recent heavy rain.
The SSC (Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana) of Quintana Roo reported also finding three suspicious boats during those six days while using the drones to monitor the state’s coast.
In a statement, the SSC reported “in the week of December 20-26 of this year, the Itzamná drone group, despite adverse weather conditions, carried out a total of 43 flights with tactical drones on the coast of Quintana Roo.
“In the municipality of Benito Juárez, in support of the Cancun Tourist Police, 39 people were identified of which one was arrested for street vending without the necessary permits and two more for drug trafficking.
“Three suspicious boats were also seen, with no incidents reported,” they said. On Thursday, National Guard responded to reports of a boat that landed on a Tulum beach. On board, personnel found 12 Cuban nationals. This boat is in addition to the three found abandoned by the SSC drone flyovers last week.
“Support was provided in surveillance and identification flights for the search for a specific target in the town of Alfredo V. Bonfil (outside Cancun) who is believed connected to illicit activities. Reconnaissance flights were carried out with the Investigation Group,” the agency reported.
“In the municipality of Tulum, surveillance, prevention and deterrence of crime was reinforced through an Institutional Inspection Filter operation in coordination with the municipal, state and federal governments.
“During the operation, 30 people, 60 vehicles and 15 motorcycles were inspected,” the SSC said.
The SSC began using drones in September of 2023 to help fight state crime. They are used by a specially trained police team, the Itzamná Drone Group, in coastal flyovers.
