15 Colombians Arrested in Quintana Roo for Drug Dealing and “Gota a Gota” Fraud

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Authorities in Quintana Roo have arrested 15 Colombians allegedly involved in drug dealing and the fraudulent loan system known as “gota a gota.” The arrests followed three search warrants executed on Saturday, November 9, in the municipality of Benito Juárez as part of ongoing investigations into health-related crimes.

The first operation took place on a property on Retiro Cerrada los Frailes Street in the Gran Santa Fe II subdivision, Supermanzana 323. Reports indicated that individuals at this location were involved in narcotics sales. Following the search, authorities arrested 15 Colombians (12 men and three women), identified as Richard David “N,” Jovany “N,” Jhon Alejandro “N,” Jorge Alexis “N,” José Julián “N,” Deiner Fabián “N,” Efrén Camilo “N,” Carlos Andren “N,” Oscar David “N,” Juan Carlos “N,” Luis Alfonso “N,” Lino Ramón “N,” Isabel Cristina “N,” Mónica Yanet “N,” and Isabella “N.”

The State Attorney General’s Office reported that these individuals were engaged in the retail sale of drugs and operated independently. They also offered cash loans through the “drop by drop” system, which involves lending money and collecting high amounts under threats.

In addition to the arrests, authorities seized unspecified drug doses and 16 motorcycles, which were handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation.

The second search occurred at a house on Calle de los Venados, near Avenida Los Mayas in Supermanzana 517. During this operation, doses of marijuana and crystal meth were seized, and a man identified as Rolando Yair “N” was arrested nearby.

The third search took place on a street adjacent to the second location, where Kevin Alejandro “N” was caught in flagrante delicto with doses of crystal meth and marijuana.

The three properties were secured by authorities and handed over to the state Prosecutor’s Office. The 17 individuals arrested were transferred to the Public Ministry to determine their legal status.

The operations involved elements from the Navy (Semar), National Defense (Sedena), Citizen Security and Protection (SSyPC) secretariats, the National Guard, and the Quintana Roo Prosecutor’s Office.

Although the Colombians operated independently, various criminal organizations, including the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel (CJNG), the Sinaloa Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, and Los Zetas, are known to operate in Quintana Roo, according to the 2024 Peace Index by the Institute for Economics and Peace.

Source: Infobae