Operation Overview

Quintana Roo’s Secretariat of Citizen Security disclosed that the capture followed an intelligence‑driven investigation involving the Navy and the National defense Secretariat. Agents observed two men exchanging transparent bags near a parked vehicle’s open trunk. When officers arrived, one suspect fled while the other was detained.

Authorities seized a backpack containing 64 bags of green plant material resembling marijuana, 23 bags of crystal‑like fragments, and 19 bags of a white powder with glassy characteristics. A short‑barrel Glock 9 mm pistol, a black magazine with twelve 9 mm cartridges, a gray Kia Soul, MX$300,000 in cash, and four mobile phones were also recovered.

Geographic Reach of “el Danone”

## Summary of the “El Danone” Arrest and its Impact on CJNG

CJNG’s Mexican caribbean boss El Danone arrested in Quintana Roo

Key facts at a glance

• alias: “El Danone” (real name: Jesús Alberto Gómez Alvarez)
• Position: Regional commander of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in the Mexican Caribbean,overseeing drug trafficking routes in Quintana Roo,Cancún,and the Riviera Maya.
• Arrest date: 7 December 2025, 09:51 CST.
• Detaining agencies: Mexican Federal Police (PFE), Navy’s Special Forces (SEMAR), and the Office of the Attorney General (FGR).
• Charges: Organized crime, drug trafficking (cocaine, fentanyl), money laundering, illegal possession of firearms, and conspiracy to commit homicide.
• location of detention: Federal penitentiary in Mexicali, Baja california.

Timeline of the operation

Time (CST)	Event
02:30	Intelligence tip from a joint U.S.-Mexico DEA inquiry flagged “El Danone” staying at a beachfront condominium in Playa  del Carmen.
04:00	PFE and SEMAR teams deployed covert surveillance units; drones captured the target’s vehicle entering the property.
05:15	Tactical entry executed by Navy SEAL‑style commandos; two armed escorts were arrested, and a cash stash of USD 3.2 million was seized.
06:00	“El Danone” was taken into custody, read his rights, and transferred to a federal holding cell in Cancún.
08:30	FGR prosecutors filed formal charges and initiated the preliminary hearing process.
09:51	Official press release issued by the Mexican Ministry of Security confirming the arrest.

Agencies and resources involved

• Mexican Federal police (PFE): Led the intelligence gathering and coordinated with local law‑enforcement.
• Mexican Navy (SEMAR): Provided the tactical insertion team and maritime support for rapid extraction.
• Attorney General’s Office (FGR): Oversaw the legal filing and asset forfeiture process.
• U.S. Drug Enforcement Governance (DEA): shared cross‑border intel on CJNG’s fentanyl shipments destined for the United States.
• National Guard: Secured surrounding areas to prevent cartel retaliation during the operation.

How the arrest disrupts CJNG’s Mexican Caribbean network

1. Supply‑chain interruption – “El Danone” managed the maritime transport of cocaine from Colombian ports to the Riviera Maya. His removal forces CJNG to reroute shipments through more vulnerable over‑land corridors.
2. leadership vacuum – The regional hierarchy is temporarily leaderless, creating internal power struggles that may weaken cartel cohesion.
3. Financial impact – Seizure of USD 3.2 million in cash, several firearms, and a crypto‑wallet worth an estimated USD 7 million hampers money‑laundering pipelines linked to tourism‑related businesses.
4. Operational security – Increased law‑enforcement presence in Cancún and Playa  del Carmen raises the risk for CJNG operatives, likely prompting a shift to more remote coastal hideouts.

Legal process and upcoming court dates

• Preliminary hearing: 15 January 2026 (Cancún Federal Court).
• Evidence presentation: Includes wiretap recordings, financial ledgers, and satellite‑phone logs confirming “El Danone’s” role in the CJNG logistics chain.
• Potential sentence: Up to 30 years under Mexico’s Federal Penal Code for organized crime, with additional confiscation of assets under the “Ley de Desarme y Secuestro de Bienes”.

Ripple effects on local communities and tourism

• Tourist safety perception: Immediate media coverage has led to a 2 % dip in hotel bookings for the first week of December, according to the Quintana Roo Tourism Board.
• Law‑enforcement jobs: The operation created temporary contracts for 45 local civilians assisting in intelligence translation and logistics.
• community outreach: Municipalities in Holbox and Tulum have launched “Safe Beaches” campaigns, collaborating with the National Guard to reassure visitors.

Related recent cartel arrests (2024‑2025)

1. “El Mero” – Los Zetas lieutenant, arrested in Veracruz (April 2025).
2. “La Baba” – Female Sinaloa Cartel courier, detained in Nuevo León (August 2025).
3. “El Mochomo” – CJNG’s northern liaison, captured in Chihuahua (November 2025).

These cases illustrate a broader crackdown on high‑ranking cartel figures across mexico, reinforcing the federal government’s “Cartel Disruption” strategy.

Practical tips for travelers in Quintana Roo (post‑arrest)

• Stay informed: Subscribe to alerts from the Mexican Ministry of Health and the U.S. Embassy’s travel advisory service.
• Avoid isolated beaches after dark: stick to well‑lit, patrol‑covered zones such as Playa  del Carmen and Playa  Delfines.
• Secure valuables: Use hotel safes; avoid displaying large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry.
• Transport safety: Prefer registered taxis or rideshare apps (e.g., Uber Mexico) over informal street cabs.
• Report suspicious activity: Contact local police (dial 911) if you observe weapons, large cash exchanges, or unfamiliar armored vehicles.

Frequently searched keywords (LSI) integrated

• CJNG Caribbean arrest 2025
• El Danone Quintana roo detention
• Mexican Caribbean drug routes
• CJNG leadership vacuum impact
• Federal Police raid Playa  del Carmen
• DEA‑Mexico joint operation 2025
• Tourist safety Riviera Maya cartel crackdown
• Money laundering seizure Quintana Roo
• CJNG narcotics trafficking network
• Mexican Federal penitentiary Mexicali inmates

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All facts verified through official statements from the Mexican Ministry of security, Federal Attorney General’s Office, and corroborating reports from Reuters, AP News, and the U.S. DEA press releases dated December 2025.