Cancun Canuck, resident expat-reporter extraordinaire, alerted me to the shocking and tragic news that the Assistant Chief of Police and another officer were shot and killed this morning by as-yet-at-large assailants.
According to this article, this surprise attack occurred on Calle 20 at Manzana 15, but I don’t know exactly where this is (don’t know the Manzanas). From the photos, it appears to be on the east side of the highway (not ejido) because of the paved streets, but it did not look like it was near the “tourist zone.”
The article says that at about 9 am today, the subdirector of Police was just leaving his home with another officer to go about his daily business when he was intercepted by 6 armed men dressed all in black, who proceeded to empty their weapons, firing more than 40 bullets into the two men, who were both killed. It is estimated that the men used AK-47 or R-15 weapons.
The asst. chief of police, named Manuel Jesús López Cantú, was 42 years old and had apparently been receiving death threats because of his work in trying to crack down on drug trafficking. The officer with him, José Alfredo Gordillo Maldonado, was 36 years old. My heart goes out to their families and friends.
In the followup article, they mention the assassins got away in two dark-colored Suburbans, and the Mexican Army has set up road blocks on the highway from Tulum to Cancun and on the way to Merida in an attempt to catch the killers.
Over the past couple of years I’ve read reports of these types of drug-related executions happening in Cancun and other parts of Mexico and I suppose I knew that with PdC’s rapid growth it was only a matter of time before it happened here, but it sure doesn’t lessen the shock and horror I felt reading about it.
Let’s discuss how difficult it must be to be a police officer in Mexico, shall we? Everyone makes nasty comments about police corruption, but what choice do they have? Be corrupt and live or do your job and die. Very sad.
Stay away from illegal drugs and drug-trafficking, ok, kids?
August 11, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I hope the Army catches them rips their balls off. Sucks to hear this.
August 11, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Stay safe girly. Some scary stuff out there right now.
August 11, 2008 at 9:36 pm
How awful….yes, be safe….you know how helpful you are…be cautious next time you see a man down…seriously!
WHO KNEW there were drugs in mexico!
love you!
August 12, 2008 at 2:09 am
plomo o plato? the traditional question to police and judges in Mexico. This has to stop, I think the feds are doing what they can but is there enough money in the world to outbid these gangsters?
I’m a retired cop, I try to relate but really I can’t. I never had to make these types of decisions and they are not easy.
My heart goes out to their families. It’s very sad.
August 12, 2008 at 6:48 am
I had just read the article on line this morning before I read your blog. What a tragedy.
It is sad that the Police Officers in Mexico must choose between “corruption” or their life.
August 12, 2008 at 7:06 am
Be safe .. watch your back. This is a crazy world.
August 12, 2008 at 11:28 am
OMG! Did you see all the gory on site pictures in Por Esto this morning! They were actually in the squad car which was just riddled with bullet holes. Front page pictures of the dead guys slumped over and bloody. I wish they would stop doing that! The two lead suspects in the case are from Cordoba in Veracruz state) and were arrested last week for making terrorist threats against the police. The Judge let them go and gave them back their confiscated weapons! Massive manhunt for them is supposedly now underway.
August 12, 2008 at 11:29 am
Even if cops and people in power allow themselves to become corrupted they are still not safe from execution. In fact they may be more vulnerable if they get into “the business.”
Unfortunately imho Mexico is largely powerless to fight this. The attraction of money is too great. There are too many drugs and immigrants being transported through this area to expect authorities to be able to fight this problem with any real effect.
Until public servants are paid a living wage they will be unable to fight this corruption. And as long as there is corruption then the smugglers will be able to stay in business.
August 12, 2008 at 12:26 pm
One of the few things I don’t miss about Mex- the drug trafficking and the violence related to it…..I remember one of the bosses of the airport in Cancun was asassinated when I was there last year- also by the narcotrafficos.
I do recall that another high ranking Playa police official was shot a while back as well……………..
It’s sad, sad, sad- but as long as there is demand the drugs will be there I suppose.
I feel sad for the cops who have to make a choice- and grateful for those who have the strength to stand up and possibly die.
My heart goes out to the families of those killed.
Oh- and another thing I don’t miss are the gory newspaper pics that go along with such articles. Blergh.
August 12, 2008 at 6:03 pm
I was sitting talking with a few good people in Tulum six years ago when I first set foot in town. We talked of the coming destruction of the area and how concerned they were for their businesses and the people they loved in Tulum.
We talked of arrivals from all over Mexico looking for work and finding nothing but too many people in one room and no work.
Once they have arrived penniless how would they survive?
Drugs, crime, prostitution of course, we are here now, the crime wave is building. How shall we deal with it?
The drugs, cocaine, are still washing up on shore from Belize to Akumal. Sian Kaan residents are terrified to walk the beach in solitude and trip over packages then be accosted by the people who watch.
I am forever grateful for the ever present military patrols, thank you so much!
We support their efforts as best we can.
The ever present consumption locally is something we must be wary of. This will create local power struggles for market share. The international movement is beyond your control. They will not harm you unless you play in the game.
Stay focused on the local market and discourage with all your heart, it is death.
From all my Relations I wish everyone safety and health.
Ron
August 12, 2008 at 7:56 pm
You are constantly asked to buy drugs on 5th Avenue. You buy them you are supporting these murderers, no matter how you look at it. Help solve the problem.
August 12, 2008 at 8:47 pm
John, that’s another scam altogether. The shopkeeper offers to sell you drugs, when you go to buy they signal the cop who’s waiting, you pay off the cop to avoid jail and the shopkeeper gets his cut.
August 14, 2008 at 8:50 am
Ugh I am so tired of this crap. I can’t even imagine how the cops feel. this has been an absolutely awful week of people trying to tell me crap I don’t want to know especially when I’ve made it VERY CLEAR I don’t have any interest.
I think I’m just really discouraged and while I feel (correctly or not) safer in this gated community, I’m just so tired and discouraged.
But as ex-pats we have such amazing opportunity that the locals, and especially the cops will never have, what right do i have to complain… sigh.