In Tulum, Quintana Roo, a traffic violation escalated into a case of kidnapping and extortion involving three local police officers. The officers, identified as Carmen “N,” Gustavo Isabel “N,” and Celiano Gerardo “N,” stopped a driver for traveling in the wrong direction. Instead of issuing a fine, they subdued the driver and placed him in the patrol car.
Inside the patrol car, the officers immobilized the victim and demanded a “bail” of 40,000 pesos, threatening him with jail time and the impoundment of his car if he did not comply. The police officers further intimidated the victim by beating him with a firearm and forcing him to unlock his cell phone to make a bank transfer to a third-party account.
After the victim was released, he reported the incident to the authorities. The State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) of Quintana Roo, in coordination with the Public Security Secretariat of Tulum, conducted an investigation and obtained arrest warrants for the three officers. They were subsequently arrested.
In their initial hearing, a judge declared the arrests legal and ordered justified preventive detention for the officers. The defense requested an extension for the hearing, which is scheduled for February 12. Authorities are also investigating whether the detained officers have been involved in similar incidents.
This case highlights the serious issue of police corruption and the need for stringent measures to ensure the safety and trust of the public in law enforcement.
Source: Excelsior
