Acayucan authorities arrest woman for alleged extortion of merchants

Authorities in Acayucan, Veracruz, have arrested Esmeralda del Carmen “N”, also known as “La Secre,” for her alleged involvement in aggravated extortion against local merchants. The arrest was carried out by the Specialized Unit to Combat Kidnapping and Extortion (UECS).

According to investigations, the suspect allegedly visited a business in the center of the municipality, leaving behind a gift bag containing a live bullet and an intimidating message. The victim reported receiving subsequent death threats via WhatsApp, demanding an initial payment of 50,000 pesos followed by monthly installments of 8,000 pesos to ensure the safety of the business and its employees.

Following a formal complaint, a judge ordered the arrest, which was executed on October 8. During the initial hearing, the defendant was placed in pretrial detention while the legal process continues.