The Municipal Police of Solidaridad have detained two teenagers in separate incidents over the past week, raising alarms about the growing recruitment of minors by criminal groups in Playa del Carmen.
The first incident occurred last Tuesday in the Ejido neighborhood, when a 14-year-old boy, identified as Elimeleth and originally from Tabasco, was detained after shooting at a man outside a bar.
According to the police report, Preventive Police officers responded to an emergency call about gunfire on Juárez Avenue. Upon arrival, they found the minor aiming a weapon at an injured person on the ground.
The teenager attempted to flee on a motorcycle with another individual but was captured in a search operation on 4th North Street. The victim, who suffered a wound to the left leg, was taken to the hospital, while Elimeleth was placed at the disposal of the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the Investigation of Crimes Committed by Adolescents.
The second incident occurred this Tuesday in the Arrecifes subdivision, where the Municipal Police detained another minor, identified as J, 16 years old and originally from Chiapas. During a patrol, officers observed the young man handling suspicious packages next to a motorcycle.
Upon inspection, they found 90 possible doses of various drugs, including marijuana, crystal meth, cocaine, crack, LSD, and other substances. J was arrested and also referred to the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office.
These cases reflect a worrying trend in Playa del Carmen, where more and more teenagers are being involved in criminal activities, posing serious challenges for local authorities in terms of prevention and security.
Source: Quadratin
