The suspect is a 15 year old boy, described as "jeffe de la plaza," or boss of the plaza, in the island's tourist zone. A boss of the plaza is a drug kingpin who controls all narcotics sales -- or tries to -- within a geographical territory. Power struggles between such drug bosses are common events in Mexico.
Authorities in Cancun and Quintana Roo state said they are seeking other suspects. A night desk clerk at the Hotel San Jorge, where the executions occurred, told police that two men arrived with the female victims, one of whom looked abut 40 and the other 17 or 18. It is not known if the 15 year old arrested today is the latter.
Preliminary reports also indicate that the 15 year old's group may be a splint off from the Los Zetas, which are generally regarded as controlling the drug trade in Quintana Roo. Police say that the victims may have stolen narcotics, or failed to turn over the proceeds after selling them. Both women are alleged to have been local street peddlers, and one recently had been convicted of possession of 150 grams of cocaine. She was released from jail several days before her murder, after being fined 150,000 pesos (about $11,500 USD), according to court officials.
Update Oct. 24: The suspect arrested two days ago is identified as Jonathan Adriel Meneses Marín. A judge in Quintana Roo has found sufficient evidence, after a preliminary hearing, to detain him for trial. No one else has been arrested. Criminal trials often are not held until for many months, or even several years, after an arrest.
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