A new case of extortion on the country’s roads comes to light with the publication of a video on social networks, which, according to publications, It occurred on route CA-2, in the jurisdiction of Mazatenango, Suchitepéquez.
In the video you can see how an individual wearing a motorcycle helmet and covering his face Wearing a balaclava, he approaches the cockpit of a trailer. You can also hear how he asks the driver to pay “the fee”, in which requires an amount of US$250, which is approximately equivalent to Q1,800.
It is also observed how the man communicates with another of his accomplices and indicates that the driver of the car can only give them Q1,500, to which the person with whom the criminal communicates agrees.
In the end, he hands the money to the individual, who retreats to the right side of the road, while the driver of the trailer resumes his course.
The publications indicate that this criminal structure, which extorts heavy transport pilots, operates between Mazatenango and Cocales, Suchitepéquez, on the CA-2 route, and those who refuse to pay are threatened and run the risk of being attacked by criminals.
The video broadcast on social networks has a duration of 50 seconds.
Research
According to investigators from the National Civil Police (PNC), the corresponding investigations are being carried out. to dismantle these criminal structures that are dedicated to collecting “tolls” from heavy transport pilots, since several complaints have been received about the way in which these individuals operate, who travel mainly on motorcycles along the route.
The PNC also indicated that patrols are being reinforced both on the CA-2 route and in other locations to prevent criminals from carrying out these actions and thus prevent heavy transport pilots from taking risks.
Complaints persist
On previous occasions, heavy transport pilots have reported being victims of extortionists who “threaten and intimidate” them if they do not agree to pay the extortion, which It ranges between Q1,500 and Q2,500 or Q3,000 for traveling along the country’s routes.
During the early hours of this Saturday, June 14, the Volunteer Firefighters reported a armed attack that occurred at kilometer 137.8 of the route to the Pacific, where the driver of a trailer was attacked with a firearm.
The lifeguards’ report indicates that, due to the severity of the injuries, The driver of the heavy transport died at the scene.
According to the publications shared on social networks, along with the video of the individual requesting extortion, the event that occurred during the early hours of this Saturday is attributed to the criminal structure to which, apparently, the subject who appears in the video belongs.
Regarding this attack, the PNC also reported that it is already carrying out the corresponding investigations and procedures together with the Public Ministry (MP), to find those responsible for the crime.
Call to report
After learning of this fact, the National Civil Police issued a statement in which it indicated that “The members of these extortionist groups that harass heavy transport pilots have already been profiled.”
The PNC also calls on citizens to report these types of events since the institution’s objective is “to protect the security, life and property of the population.” The institution also highlights that the following actions are being carried out:
- Strategic Investigation: Derived from monitoring videos and information circulating on different platforms and social networks, specialized police investigation and intelligence teams already have fully profiled the members of the criminal structures that operate and are dedicated to extortion on the main routes in the country.
- Police Action: These criminal gangs will be persecuted forcefully and relentlessly. The PNC already coordinates with the Public Ministry (MP) the corresponding legal and operational actions to achieve the capture and prosecution of those responsible for these criminal acts.
- The Value of Complaint: The use of digital tools by the population has been key to making these acts visible; However, for the justice system to act with the full force of the law, it is essential to make complaints official. Each evidence shared allows us to strengthen judicial files and expedite arrests.
Finally, the communication indicates that any alert or complaint can be sent 24 hours a day to the number 110 of the PNC, 1574 which is the anti-extortion line, and 1561 of Crimme Stoppers.