Fishermen in Quintana Roo Caught in Cocaine Treasure Hunt

Fishermen along the coast of Quintana Roo have been drawn into a perilous and covert operation – retrieving cocaine packages that wash ashore from the Caribbean Sea. What initially seemed like a treasure hunt has evolved into a hazardous and potentially deadly pursuit.

Smuggling vessels from Colombia, Panama, and Belize signal to the coastal towns of Quintana Roo, initiating the local drug recovery operations. The fishermen, who used to focus on lobster fishing, are now coerced by drug cartels into retrieving their lost cargo from the sea.

Drug trafficking has permeated the idyllic Caribbean Sea, transforming it into a major drug smuggling route. Criminal organizations intimidate fishermen into joining this illegal activity with threats of violence and death, turning their livelihood into a dangerous game of retrieving washed-up cocaine.

These unlawful operations have caused chaos within the community. Some fishermen have become wealthy overnight, while others have lost their lives under suspicious circumstances. The presence of drug traffickers and the battle for control of drug routes have resulted in a rise in violence in the region, with an uptick in homicides and cartel conflicts.

Caught in a dangerous cycle of crime, the fishermen of Quintana Roo find themselves with seemingly no other choice but to flee from the coast to escape the grasp of the cartels. Despite the risks and deadly repercussions, the practice of collecting washed-up cocaine continues to spread across the state, jeopardizing the safety and stability of the region.