Friday, February 7, 2025

Police arrest presumed leader of Playa del Carmen gang

Quintana Roo police have arrested a man they say is the leader of the Pelones crime gang that operates in Playa del Carmen.

Jonathan ā€œN,ā€ also known as ā€œEl Pantera,ā€ was arrested in CancĆŗn after an investigation by state and federal police. He was carrying drugs and guns when he was captured.

The suspect is wanted for several murders and attempted murders.

Quintana Roo Attorney General Ɠscar Montes de Oca said he is likely responsible for the murder of Daniela PatiƱo, a Colombian woman whose body was found in Quintana Roo in September.

PatiƱo arrived in Playa del Carmen in August when she escaped from a human trafficking network that was holding her against her will in Guatemala. She disappeared on September 10, and her body was found seven days later.

ā€œWe believe [Jonathan ā€œNā€] participated in the femicide of a young woman from Colombia,ā€ said Montes de Oca. ā€œBefore being killed, she received extortion messages which, according to witnesses, came from the suspect’s telephone.ā€

Montes de Oca added that Jonathan ā€œNā€ is highly dangerous and responsible for many violent incidents in the northern part of the state, especially the municipality of Solidaridad, in which Playa del Carmen is located.

Source: Reforma (sp), El Universal (sp)

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