Cancun, Q.R. — Three Cancun Transit Officers are being investigated on allegations of extorting an Italian tourist in exchange for not being arrested. The male tourist from Italy was allegedly extorted of around 50,000 pesos by traffic officers during a recent visit to the city of Cancun.
The male tourist filed a complaint with help from the Italian Consulate after returning home last week. On Wednesday, the Municipal Secretariat of Citizen Security and Traffic of Benito Juárez (SMSCyT) issued a statement stating they are working in coordination with the Prosecutor’s Office since learning of the complaint.
According to the Secretaría Municipal de Seguridad Ciudadana y Tránsito de Benito Juárez (SMSCyT), their Internal Affairs Directorate is working directly with the Prosecutor’s Office to assist in the investigation, reiterating their willingness to fully cooperate to clarify what happened and determine responsibility.
Authorities have not named the three Transit officers accused of extorting the Italian tourist, nor have they said if they have been relieved of their duties while the investigation is ongoing.
The three officers are accused of extorting 50,000 pesos from the man to prevent them from impounding his rental car and sending him to jail. He reportedly transferred the money through bank transfers to prevent being arrested for a traffic violation.
Upon returning to his home country, the man filed an official complaint with the help of the Italian consulate who forwarded that complaint to local Cancun authorities. According to sources, the three Cancun transit officers have not shown up for work since the incident.
