Mexico extradites ex-spy accused of running sex exploitation ring to Argentina

Mexican authorities have extradited Raúl Luis Martins, an ex-Argentine intelligence agent, to Argentina to face charges related to leading a human trafficking network for sexual exploitation. The Attorney General's Office of the Republic (FGR) announced the extradition, stating that a federal judge in Buenos Aires had requested Martins.

Investigations suggest Martins led a criminal organization from November 2010 until 2019. This group allegedly used commercial venues to exploit women for sexual purposes. For approximately seven years, Martins' defense team filed numerous legal challenges in Cancun and Mexico City to prevent his extradition, all of which the FGR successfully contested.

The FGR highlighted that Martins is wanted by Federal Criminal and Correctional Court Number 1 in Buenos Aires for his probable involvement in crimes including criminal association, human trafficking for sexual exploitation, and money laundering. His handover to Argentine agents occurred at the Cancun International Airport.

National media reports identify Martins as a former agent of Argentina's State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE). He is reportedly linked to an organization called Zona Divas, involved in sexual exploitation and extortion, and has also been connected to criminal groups like Los Zetas and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Martins, holding both Argentine and Mexican nationality, was apprehended in Cancun in 2019 as he attempted to travel to Belize.

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During approximately seven years, his defense promoted multiple amparo lawsuits and various appeals in Cancun, Quintana Roo, and Mexico City, with the aim of preventing his extradition, all of which FGR combated obtaining favorable results.