Truck drivers and operators of heavy vehicles have reported alleged extortion by traffic officers in Quintana Roo, primarily on access roads to Cancún. They claim they are stopped under the pretext of supposed traffic violations and pressured to pay amounts that can reach up to 3,000 pesos.
According to testimonies from those affected, these practices occur at locations such as José López Portillo Avenue, the bypass of Highway 180, secondary streets, gas stations, shoulders of the road, and even on sections of the highway heading towards Leona Vicario. The drivers state that these stops happen most frequently when they are about to enter the city or before they arrive to unload cargo.
The complainants, including drivers of dry vans, moving vans, parcel delivery trucks, box trucks, and other freight transport vehicles, indicated that the problem has intensified over the last three years. They claim that, in addition to facing risks on the road such as robberies, accidents, and the presence of criminal groups, upon arriving in Cancún they must contend with fees they consider irregular and that directly affect their income.
“We’re fed up. This problem has intensified over the last three years. This is how we make a living, and every time we come to the city, we’re stopped and charged one, two, or three thousand pesos. It’s a very heavy burden. Some of my colleagues even say that certain companies have agreements with the officers,” said a driver known as “El Bolas.”
The truckers also alleged that there is preferential treatment among transport companies. According to their testimonies, some trucks with company logos or belonging to companies with alleged agreements are able to circulate without major problems, while other drivers are intercepted and forced to pay to continue their journey. This situation, they indicated, has generated discontent within the industry, as they believe there is no clear or transparent procedure for the inspections.
One of the drivers, who asked to remain anonymous, recounted that some companies had to intervene to prevent their vehicles from being constantly stopped. “The companies had to get involved somehow; when they see the marked vehicles, they don’t stop us anymore, but if the vehicle doesn’t have those markings, we’re charged fees. Some of my colleagues have had to hand over a significant portion of their salary for the transfer. It’s frustrating that this happens just meters from unloading,” he said.
The drivers maintain that these practices not only represent a financial burden but also a source of tension in their daily work. After traveling long distances from different parts of the country, including the central region, the capital, and northern states, the drivers say that reaching their destination doesn’t always mean the end of their problems, since the inspections and alleged charges appear just before they complete their deliveries.
According to another testimony, Cancún and Playa del Carmen are the cities where the fines are highest, while in other areas of Quintana Roo the situation is less severe, although it still represents a burden for those who depend on transporting goods to support their families.
Those affected stated that officers tend to position themselves in strategic locations and, in some cases, divert drivers to side streets or areas with less public visibility to conduct inspections. This situation, they said, increases the feeling of vulnerability among those who travel through the area with cargo trucks.
Among truckers, there is also concern about the lack of clarity regarding the permits or agreements that, according to them, allow certain companies to operate without being stopped. The drivers believe that this practice affects competition and puts independent drivers or companies without such arrangements at a disadvantage.
To date, the complainants are requesting an investigation into the allegations and that the authorities review the conduct of traffic officers at the locations where these practices are reported. For truckers, the goal isn’t to evade the law, but to avoid fees they consider unjustified and to ensure that inspections are carried out legally, transparently, and without abuse.
The case reflects the concern of a sector that plays a key role in supplying Cancún and other destinations in Quintana Roo, but which claims to face economic and operational obstacles upon arriving in the city. Until there are clear investigations and control measures, the drivers warn that the problem will continue to affect those who depend on freight transport for their livelihoods.
Source: larevista
