Cancun, Q.R. — Three of the men arrested last week for illegally cutting Cancun mangrove will face their trials in freedom. Three of the men, who were found with chainsaws and machetes, have faced a judge who linked them to the environmental crime of destroying a large section of mangrove in the Cancun Hotel Zone.
The men arrested have been identified as Miguel P, Víctor P, Daniel M, Miguel M and Yonathán Z. According to information provided in a statement by the Attorney General’s Office, three have been charged and will continue their process in freedom, but have to sign in every month, cover a financial guarantee and are prohibited from leaving the state.
The men were arrested October 9 after a citizen complaint lead authorities to the mangrove area. Once there, officials found the men clearing mangrove flora and felling several species of protected trees at kilometer 5.5 of Kukulcán Boulevard in the Cancun Hotel Zone.
The men said they were hired by an individual for a “job”, however, the identity of that person has not been revealed.
According to the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection, the devastated area consisted of 425 square meters on one side of the Nichupté Lagoon. The agency has since temporarily closed the entire affected area.
