Los Pelones executions continue in Q.R., with "corrupt police support" paper alleges

Mexican soldiers battle the group in default of action by local authorities

Chetumal, Quintana Roo - Los Pelones, a local drug trafficking and murder-for-hire gang active in this Riviera Maya state on Mexico's Caribbean coast, is flourishing due to alliances with corrupt local cops in the area, reports an area newspaper this week.

The paper, Por Esto, says Los Pelones have expanded operations to Chetumal, a city of about 150,000 and the capital of Q.R. state. It claims the group is responsible for the recent executions of several independent drug dealers who refused to work for them. In one of those cases, two men were kidnapped, tortured and shot in Puerto Morelos on Feb. 10 (http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2012/02/cancun-narco-violence-claims-fifth.html).

The following day another man was murdered in Cancún under similar circumstances (http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2012/02/cancun-24-hour-narco-death-toll-rises.html). Los Pelones compete with the Los Zetas cartel in Quintana Roo. Some of the drugs in which both groups traffic arrive in the state by sea, commonly from Colombia (http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2012/02/drugs-float-ashore-on-playa-del-carmen.html), while others move overland from Guatemala and Honduras, passing north through Belize in route. Almost all are destined for the U.S. market, especially the cocaine.

Yesterday (Mar. 6) two Q.R. police captains were relieved of their duties and placed under formal investigation by prosecutors for alleged ties to Los Pelones, says Por Esto. The paper reports that the only successful operations to date against the group have been carried out by Mexican military forces in the region. In one case earlier this year troops managed to rescue a kidnap victim. They've also intercepted several Pelones vehicles, resulting in weapons seizures and arrests.

In Cancún, Los Zetas deliver drugs by taxi and death on demand: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2012/03/in-cancun-los-pelones-happily-deliver.html.
Cancún and Riviera Maya, under the thumb of los narcos: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2012/02/mexicos-caribbean-riviera-maya-in-hands.html.

More posts on Los Pelones:
U.S. spring breakers staying away from Cancún this year: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2012/03/spring-break-nears-but-us-students-are.html.
Why are Los Zetas spies hanging out near Cancún hotel zone?: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2012/02/southern-zetas-operate-in-cancuns-hotel.html.
Memo to independent drug retailers - stay out of Cancún: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2012/02/cancun-narco-violence-claims-fifth.html
Mexican armed forces stage drug raid in Playa del Carmen tourist zone: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2012/02/mexican-armed-forces-raid-drug-houses.html.
Mexico's Riviera Maya in the hands of drug cartels and extortionists: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2012/02/mexicos-caribbean-riviera-maya-in-hands.html.
Brutalized bodies of two men found in Cancún: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2012/01/brutalized-bodies-of-two-men-found-in.html.
Double AK-47 execution in Cancún: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/12/ak-47-attack-in-cancun-leaves-two-dead.html.
Los Pelones hit man with Mérida connection admits to 30 executions in Cancún: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/12/hit-man-with-possible-merida-connection.html.
Fomer police officer executed in Playa del Carmen: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/12/former-municipal-police-officer-in.html.