In Cancún, Quintana Roo, four Cuban nationals have been formally charged with distributing marijuana through Facebook, according to the State Attorney General's Office (FGE) which presented the necessary evidence to a control judge.
Local media reports identified the accused as Edilberto "N", Nicolás "N", Pablo "N", and Hans "N". They were apprehended on Boulevard Puerto Cancún during an operation following investigations by the Specialized Narcotics Crimes Unit.
The judicial authority stated that Edilberto "N" and Nicolás "N" will face charges related to the supply of cannabis sativa L., while Pablo "N" and Hans "N" are accused of possession with intent to distribute the same substance.
Investigations revealed that the four Cubans used Facebook to organize the sale and distribution of the drug. This method is increasingly used by small-scale drug trafficking groups to connect with customers and facilitate transactions via private messages, making detection more challenging.
Beyond drug trafficking, authorities are exploring other criminal activities. The prosecution has indicated that there are ongoing investigations into potential involvement of the accused in robberies and extortion, particularly through "protection payment" schemes in Cancún's Hotel Zone, a major Mexican tourist destination.
Given the serious nature of the accusations, the judge ordered justified preventive detention for the four defendants throughout the judicial process.
This case might be part of a larger criminal network. A report by Informado Caribe suggested that the detainees might belong to a criminal organization primarily composed of Cuban citizens operating in Cancún for several months. The report further claimed that over 17 individuals allegedly connected to this group have been arrested in recent weeks, although the state prosecutor's office has not confirmed this information.
The arrests occur amid ongoing operations against alleged drug trafficking networks involving Cuban nationals. On June 1, four other Cubans—Osiel "N", Enrique "N", Rubén "N", and Luis "N"—were charged with offenses related to marijuana sales in Cancún's Supermanzana 23.
Earlier, in January, Mexican authorities detained Remigio "N", a Cuban national accused of being part of a Cuban-American criminal cell allegedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, focusing on drug trafficking and distribution.
Incidents date back to 2024, when in August, three Cubans were arrested for drug dealing during an operation in Cancún. In July of the same year, 17 Cubans and three Venezuelans were detained in Pachuca, Hidalgo, where authorities confiscated 100 doses of crystal meth and 83 of marijuana.
Following the principle of presumption of innocence, the four accused will be considered innocent until proven guilty by a final legal sentence.
Key Questions on the Cuban Drug Trafficking Case in Cancún
How were the Cubans allegedly using Facebook for drug trafficking?
The accused reportedly used Facebook to arrange the sale and distribution of marijuana, leveraging private messages to communicate with customers and organize deliveries, which complicates detection efforts.
What legal measures have been taken against the accused?
The judge has ordered justified preventive detention for all four defendants during the judicial proceedings due to the severity of the charges.
Is there a possibility of a larger criminal network being involved?
Reports suggest that the individuals might be part of a broader criminal organization operating in Cancún, primarily composed of Cuban nationals, although this has not been officially confirmed by the authorities.