Loan sharking ring busted in Tuxtla Gutiérrez; Colombian and Venezuelan nationals among those arrested

A criminal group specializing in "gota a gota" loan sharking has been dismantled in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico, following an operation by the State Police. The network, which operated in at least four neighborhoods, included Venezuelan, Mexican, and Colombian nationals.

Authorities identified the arrested Venezuelans as Moisés, Cristian Andrés, Gabriel, Christian Alexánder, Mileidis, José Daniel, Víctor, and Juan. The Colombian national was identified as Andrés Eduardo, and the Mexicans as Jorge and José Leonardo. According to the Prosecutor's Office and the Secretariat of Public Security, once loans were issued, the group allegedly returned to victims to carry out threats, extortion, assaults, and property damage if they failed to make their daily payments.

During the arrests in the Acacias subdivision, Santo Domingo neighborhood, and El Vergel and Presidentes colonies, police seized two handguns, one long firearm, 42 rounds of ammunition, and four magazines. Additionally, four vehicles, four motorcycles, and significant quantities of illegal drugs, including 52 doses of methamphetamine, 35 doses of crystal meth, and 32 doses of cocaine, were confiscated.

The Secretariat of Public Security reported that the State Cybersecurity Guard gathered information detailing threats and the seizure of belongings from victims who could not meet the high daily interest rates. The arrested individuals, along with the seized weapons, vehicles, and drugs, have been placed at the disposal of the Public Ministry for further legal proceedings.