Playa del Carmen: Two women charged with labor exploitation of adolescents

Two women, identified as Hortencia “N” (alias “La Güera”) and Angélica “N” (alias “La Patrona”), have been formally charged in Playa del Carmen for human trafficking in the form of labor exploitation. The case involves three adolescents from Tenejapa, Chiapas, who were recruited in July under the promise of employment preparing and selling food.

According to investigations by the Quintana Roo State Attorney General's Office, the victims were taken to a residence in the In House neighborhood. They were forced to work 12-hour shifts, typically from 1:00 PM to 1:00 AM, performing tasks such as cleaning utensils and preparing vegetables before selling corn products in the city center. While the daily sales generated between 8,400 and 10,800 pesos for the accused, the adolescents were paid wages below the legal minimum.

A control judge has ordered two years of preventive detention for both women while the judicial process continues.