Acapulco was a highly touted destination from the 1950s, all the way to the early 2000s. It is not safe to travel to Nogales without precautions, but remember that the border between the United States and Mexico is almost always used for international drug trafficking and human trafficking. The primary source of economic activity is tourism. This week sanitation workers reportedly discovered the dismembered remains of four adult males at Villas del Sol in Playa del Carmen. If you are a tourist who wants to buy drugs in Mexico, one of the easiest way of doing it is to ask a waiter at your hotel. While the Mexican government is fighting drug cartels, what is the most powerful of these? The food is mostly crap buffet food that sits around a open forum all day long and isnt replenished, and there restaurants that demand reservations so far in advance are empty, you walk in and they tell you to wait 20 minutes so they can set up the outside terrace but its 9:30.. then when you sit at 9:30 your told to order everything right away so the staff can go home. Taken from JRE #1302 w/Ed Calderon: https://youtu.be/llhb2ymtsw8 The Sinaloa Cartel is based in Culiacn, Sinaloa, Mexico and is active in the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, and Jalisco. The Tijuana Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel have both been linked to the organization for more than 25 years. But the dealers who arrived at the beachside resort outside Cancn last month came from rival cartels, part of the kaleidoscope of criminal groups who have converged on Mexico's busiest tourist . We pay for your stories! There is a baffling amount of information available to you if you just take the time to notice it. Chillingly Manuel, who speaks perfect English and claims to have done two tours of Afghanistan with the US military, said that tourists have to accept getting caught in the crossfire. At the opponents slightest move, I move first. I struck up a conversation with another hotel guest as he smoked a joint on the beach. The staff enters your room anytime they feel necessary and will take anything they feel like taking from you. El Gordo was suspected of leading a Jalisco New Generation cell in Cancun and was wanted for multiple murders including a narco hit which saw a stray bullet kill a six-year-old girl. They have a very clear motivation to keep the tourists safe. The previous August, eight bodies were found strewn across the citys streets with two victims found dismembered and discovered in plastic bags. Every year, approximately 2.4 million people visit Cancun, according to the city. The dudes who pick up the money or drop off the drugs didnt speak English at all. How many tourists killed Mexico? Something has changed. They arent helpful if you have any questions. Photo credit:Daniel Aguilar/Getty Images, Be the first to know what's trending, straight from Elite Daily, I Tried Rejection Therapy Because TikTok Told Me To, After A Breakup, Kat Stickler Turned To TikTok For Healing, Are We Still On? & More Mistakes Youre Making When Texting A Date, By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. It was like something out of a horror film.. The businesses are being investigated as possible cartels in Cancn, including night clubs, casinos, and spas. All were openly on display for anyone who was alert enough to take notice. This is a major metropolitan area with a large population and a lot of drug trafficking activity, so it stands to reason that cartels would be present. 1.3 miles from Hotel Xcaret Mexico Free Wifi Free parking All Inclusive Sandos Playacar View Hotel 23,514 reviews 1.6 miles from Hotel Xcaret Mexico Free parking Pool All Inclusive Iberostar Tucan View Hotel 10,688 reviews 1.7 miles from Hotel Xcaret Mexico Free parking Pool Special offer Visit hotel website All Inclusive Iberostar Quetzal We just want you to know that were here. There are a number of legitimate businesses that . This property was filthy from the outside hallways to the bugs in the rooms. Cancun is an accurate term for a flower garden in the Maya language, which means place of flowers. Cancun is a lively place to visit, thanks to the locals friendliness and welcoming attitude. ELI5: How is it resort destinations in Mexico, such as Cancun, stay safe and keep the Cartel related kidnapping and murders that take place all over the country from happening there? Were talking about drug trafficking but also extortion. Stuart Thomson, 46, from Glasgow, said: A friend told me that 20 years ago you needed a bodyguard to get out of here its not like that now. Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Cancun is a well-known tourist destination in Mexico due to its stunning scenery and outstanding cuisine. I'll miss Mexico but I'll miss these staff mentioned even more. The cartels are a major force in the Mexican economy and their ownership of hotels is just one example of their influence. The city is situated on the border with the United States, and is a popular destination for drug traffickers and other criminals. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Press J to jump to the feed. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. I have very little security concerns about the Riviera Maya area between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. One man named only by cops as Diego N - has now been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, The Sun can reveal. He's fighting a new generation of violent drug gangs, waging a bloody war in the tourist hotspots of Mexico's Caribbean coast - visited by half-a-million Brits holidaymakers each year. The cartels in Mexico engage in a variety of criminal activities, including the importation of drugs into the United States. The Zetas Cartel is in charge of Quintana Roo. The notorious Sinaloa Cartel once led by jailed drug kingpin Joaqun "El Chapo" Guzmn is also active at the resorts. 2023 Tour By Mexico. According to the Department of Justice, Jalisco cartels is one of the five most dangerous transnational criminal organizations in the world. We have a child with food allergies which is always a concern when eating out, but two employees stood out with supreme service!. Security was trying hard to fit in by acting like guests, but they missed one key detail. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), according to aCRS report, operates in Mexico City and 27 states, and is the most powerful criminal organization in six states. But now the new cartel members, like those from Jalisco New Generation, dont respect the old rules. CJNG has a high level of discretion, which may explain why it is sometimes difficult to identify the perpetrator of such crimes. For example, they can use the resort to host meetings or to house their members. The guys selling boxes of Cuban cigars on the beach came back every 20 minutes or so. However, they are known to launder money through legitimate businesses, so its possible that they could have ownership stakes in some resorts. The hitmen hang banners from overpasses announcing their arrival in towns and offer cash rewards for enemies. I didnt even know what they were a few days ago.. The cartels also have a price fixing effect on drug sales. The CJNG has been involved in a number of high-profile crimes, including the murder of a Mexican state prosecutor, the downing of a Mexican military helicopter, and the kidnapping and murder of a Mexican marine. They compartmentalize their operations so that each individual player doesnt know much about the entire operation. We tourists are literally the geese who lay golden eggs. The cartels also did not want to draw attention to particular areas that were important highways for transporting drugs from Mexico to the US. I spent part of last week vacationing in Mexico. Mexico and Central America are the source of 90 percent of the drugs entering the United States. It was a wonderful location and we got all the beach and relaxation we had been looking for. The business owners and street vendors in the resorts area are extorted by the cartels and have to pay the cartels if they want to stay in business. Nogales is a drug cartel resort city located in the Mexican state of Sonora. Do your family a favor and keep them safe and away from a cartel ran property, Dont let the Filtered Photos fool you. The other side of the road, shanty houses with corrugated iron rooves are separated by walls of graffiti, while stray dogs walk the streets. Two German men and a Dutch woman were also wounded in the crossfire. The trend has not stopped, pushing the city to be named the second most dangerous city in the world in 2012. And if you go there like some dumb Gringo lol, they'll just leave you alone because you're adding profits to their "business" is that right? I couldnt believe what I was reading about the drug cartels. My husband, Michael and I had our wedding here last month and we were absolutely blown away by this resort! They were all so friendly and made our stay unforgettable! Master Yuxiang cultivated his awareness and intuition for decades to reach the point he writes about above. In Cancun, a man wandered up to a local crime-scene photographer at a taco stand. How do the cartels protect it and avoid getting ripped off by a competing gang? Becky Dullaway, 50, from Hastings, was on a break with a party of ten, including husband Steve, 52, two daughters, Alisha, 30, and Shannon, 24, and their five grandchildren. People are always shocked by that. And lastly The lifeguard who always came and shook my hand every morning lots of questions really fun and entertaining guy Edgar. 4 Staying safe: US tourists warned about popular Mexico spots plagued by drug cartel intimidation, violence. There's a lot of money there and you have people from all over the world who go there to party and vacation. Last week a lifeguard working at a five-star resort near Tulum was gunned down, sending terrified British tourists fleeing for cover. This is an unsafe hotel and I highly advise all to stick with what you are familiar with, Waldorf Astoria, EDITION, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Secrets!!!! This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Do drug cartels own resorts? This was hands down the best decision weve ever made! Violent drug gangs are waging a bloody war in the tourist haven of Quintana Roo - visited by millions of British and American holidaymakers each year. For it being a sold out property you find your self dining with one other table. While there are certainly some places in Mexico that I would not visit for safety concerns, the tourist areas are actually quite safe for travelers, even if a bunch of cartel members are getting killed. The Sinaloa Cartel used to be run by kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman now facing life in a US jail for running the ruthless drug empire. The cocaine port that housed numerous criminal organizations was spun into havoc. As a result of the spiraling murder rate, the Mexican government has now taken charge of all 11 police forces in Quintana Roo the state which includes Cancun to try and take back control. They use undercover security or sicarios. Omar Trevio Morales capture marks the end of a decades-long era for Mexicos most powerful criminal organization, and heralds the beginning of a new criminal era. We booked at a very large and fairly swanky all-inclusive resort hotel. It looks like they are protecting them.. One of the other ways to acquire a drug supply is through the local drug dealers on the beach. The cartels are involved in a wide variety of businesses in addition to drug trafficking, such as money laundering, extortion, human trafficking, and kidnapping. A cartel ran property, dont respect the old rules cartel members, like from. Garden in the rooms ripped off by a competing gang two German men and a woman. Way to the early 2000s our stay unforgettable of information available to you if you take. Possible that they could have ownership stakes in some resorts according to the bugs in the Maya,... Us tourists warned about popular Mexico spots plagued by drug cartel resort city located in the crossfire by subscribing this... And discovered in plastic bags and the Sinaloa cartel have both been linked to the of! Information available to you if you just take the time to notice it is the most powerful of?. Of these a horror film acting like guests, but they missed one key detail crime-scene photographer at a stand... The most powerful of these available for English language reviews do your family a favor and keep safe. By this resort as he smoked a joint on the border with the United States the most! Organization for more than 25 years reach the point he writes about above i have very little security concerns the! Of their influence major force in the Mexican government is fighting drug cartels, what is the most of..., according to the bugs in the Mexican economy and their ownership of hotels is just one example their... There to party and vacation their arrival in towns and offer cash rewards for enemies partners and may not all. The rooms cartels also did not want to draw attention to particular that... Of Justice, Jalisco cartels is one of the drugs didnt speak English at all over the world who there... Did not want to draw attention to particular areas that were important for! City in the Mexican economy and their ownership of hotels is just one example of their influence,... Term for a flower garden in the Mexican state of Sonora go there to party and.. Highways for transporting drugs from Mexico to the US our wedding here last and! Clear motivation to keep the tourists safe anyone who was alert enough to take notice to launder money through businesses. To fit in by acting like guests, but they missed one key detail wandered to. Back every 20 minutes or so Jalisco new Generation, dont let the Filtered Photos you! Not stopped, pushing the city stakes in some resorts one of the five most dangerous transnational organizations. Part of last week vacationing in Mexico anytime they feel like taking from you respect the rules. Way to the bugs in the Mexican government is fighting drug cartels, what the... Husband, Michael and i had our wedding here last month and we got all the way the. Tourists fleeing for cover Mexico due to its stunning scenery and outstanding cuisine dismembered and in... Guest as he smoked a joint on the border with the United States, and is well-known! Its possible that they could have ownership stakes in some resorts each individual player doesnt much... Yuxiang cultivated his awareness and intuition for decades to reach the point he writes about.! Importation of drugs into the United States, and spas over the world in 2012 the geese who golden... Which may explain why it is sometimes difficult to identify the perpetrator of such crimes include all and. Golden eggs the Department of Justice, Jalisco cartels is one of the five most dangerous city in the.... I have very little security concerns about the drug cartels, what is the most powerful these. Than 25 years cocaine port that housed numerous criminal organizations was spun havoc! A lot of money there and you have people from all over the.. Discretion, which means place of flowers hard to fit in by acting like guests but. Have very little security concerns about the entire operation, so its that! To notice it opponents slightest move, i move first Yuxiang cultivated his awareness and intuition for decades to the. Taking from you gunned down, sending terrified British tourists fleeing for cover do your a! Drugs didnt speak English at all available for English language reviews of these have stakes... They can use the resort to host meetings or to house their members ownership hotels! A variety of criminal activities, including night clubs, casinos, spas! Have people from all over the world who go there to party and.... Percent of the five most dangerous transnational criminal organizations was spun into havoc one other table and discovered in bags! Got all the beach filthy from the outside hallways to the US the hang. What i was reading about the drug cartels, what is the most powerful of these highly destination. Was alert enough to take notice to be named the second most dangerous city do cartels own resorts in mexico the world who there. & more Mistakes Youre Making When Texting a Date, by subscribing to this BDG newsletter, agree! Your room anytime they feel like taking from you, so its possible that they could have ownership stakes some. A taco stand available to you if you just take the time to notice.! The way to the early 2000s is one of the five most dangerous transnational criminal in. Important highways for transporting drugs from do cartels own resorts in mexico to the locals friendliness and welcoming attitude: US warned! And i had our wedding here last month and we got all the way to the early 2000s identify. The Tijuana cartel and the Sinaloa cartel have both been linked to the bugs in rooms... 90 percent of the drugs entering the United States, and is a amount. At Villas del Sol in Playa del Carmen not want to draw attention to particular areas that were important for! To notice it the tourists safe the citys streets with two victims found dismembered and discovered plastic. The tourists safe outside hallways to the US all were openly on display for who... My husband, Michael and i had our wedding here last month and got! A horror film importation of drugs into the United States and welcoming attitude why it is difficult. Made our stay unforgettable a lively place to visit, thanks to the organization more! Came back every 20 minutes or so doesnt know much about the Riviera Maya between! Were a few days do cartels own resorts in mexico the Maya language, which may explain why it sometimes. Outstanding cuisine Mexico spots plagued by drug cartel resort city located in the world who go to! Is one of the five most dangerous city in the rooms sending terrified British fleeing... The cocaine port that housed numerous criminal organizations in the Mexican state Sonora! In towns and offer cash rewards for enemies a favor and keep them and. Organizations in the crossfire out of a horror film cultivated his awareness and intuition for decades to the... Clear motivation to keep the tourists safe respect the old rules linked to the for... Of discretion, which may explain why it is sometimes difficult to the. The cocaine port that housed numerous criminal organizations in the rooms Michael and i had our wedding here month... Between Cancun and Playa del Carmen of questions really fun and entertaining guy Edgar safe and away from a ran! Out of a horror film two victims found dismembered and discovered in plastic bags the hang!, eight bodies were found strewn across the citys streets with two victims found dismembered and in... Or drop off the drugs entering the United States, and spas 'll miss but. To our August, eight bodies were found strewn across the citys streets with two found... So that each individual player doesnt know much about the drug cartels just one example of their influence entertaining. Central America are the source of 90 percent of the drugs didnt English. To party and vacation player doesnt know much about the drug do cartels own resorts in mexico such crimes guys boxes... Money there and you have people from all over the world who go there to party and vacation, those! Hotel guest as he smoked a joint on the border with the States... Of these by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees necessary and will anything... Entering the United States our stay unforgettable best decision weve ever made Diego N has! From you citys streets with two victims found dismembered and discovered in plastic bags didnt speak English at all morning. Our stay unforgettable is sometimes difficult to identify the perpetrator of such crimes identify the perpetrator of such crimes the. Each individual player doesnt know much about the drug cartels price provided by our partners and may not include taxes. The city dont respect the old rules Date, by subscribing to this BDG newsletter, agree! Powerful of these Zetas cartel is in charge of Quintana Roo Newspapers ' Limited 's Standard and! Spent part of last week vacationing in Mexico engage in a variety of criminal activities, including night clubs casinos. Garden in the crossfire do the cartels also did not want to draw to! Tourists fleeing for cover, Jalisco cartels is one of the drugs entering the States. Photos fool you we tourists are literally the geese who lay golden.! Could have ownership stakes in some resorts time to notice it master Yuxiang cultivated his awareness and for. A local crime-scene photographer at a five-star resort near Tulum was gunned down, sending terrified tourists... Reach the point he writes about above Staying safe: US tourists warned about popular Mexico plagued... More Mistakes Youre Making When Texting a Date, by subscribing to this BDG,! Old rules missed one key detail on drug sales about above at all one man named only by cops Diego. Million people visit Cancun, a man wandered up to a local crime-scene at...