Notorious Extortionist “El Ñoño” Arrested in Playa del Carmen

The State Attorney General's Office (FGE) has announced the arrest of a key figure in the extortion racket plaguing Playa del Carmen. The individual, known as Eduardo "N" or by his aliases "El Ñoño" and "Drako," had been terrorizing local businesses with demands for "protection" payments.

Authorities issued an arrest warrant for Eduardo "N" following a series of threatening messages he sent via WhatsApp to a local vendor. The vendor, who wishes to remain anonymous, was told to pay five thousand pesos per month for "protection" to continue his business operations without interference. Failure to comply, Eduardo "N" warned, would result in his hitmen visiting the vendor's establishment in the Palmas II subdivision.

The threats escalated on April 30, 2023, when Eduardo "N" and an accomplice visited the vendor's business. They provided instructions for the payment transfer, including a bank card number written on a piece of paper, along with a bullet. The vendor was then instructed to send proof of payment to the same number from which the threats originated.

Eduardo "N" and his accomplices have been using this method to extort multiple small businesses in Playa del Carmen, posing as the leaders of a criminal gang. Another key figure in the operation, Óscar "N" alias "El Botitas," was linked to the case in October 2023.

Following his arrest, Eduardo "N" was taken to the Municipal Retention Center of Solidaridad. His legal status is currently pending review by the appropriate authorities.