Tourists in Cancun were left terrified as police clashed with alleged drug dealers in broad daylight at a resort, leaving one person dead.
Guests in the pool area and at the nearby beach reportedly ran for cover as the gunfight broke out when armed cops swooped in at the Riu Palace Costa Mujeres, about 25 miles north of the Cancun airport, at around 3pm on Thursday.
The Quintana Roo Attorney General explained that the cops had been undercover at the resort in an effort to catch gang members who were allegedly using the hotel as a base to sell drugs, KARE reports.
Guests and staff members were allegedly threatened by the group and ordered to provide services as the criminals attempted to distribute drugs in the resort.
One mother accompanying a group of Minnesota students on a senior spring break even claimed that one of the drug dealers aggressively approached her son and many of the other high schoolers on the trip – trying to sell them cocaine and get them to share their social media information.
Police on the scene then found two of the alleged gang members armed with weapons in the bathroom near the pool, prompting the criminals to open fire, according to Riviera Maya News.
The officers promptly returned fire, and one of the suspects was shot dead.
Resort guests in Cancun were subjected to terrifying scenes as police clashed with a violent ‘criminal group’
One of the criminals was reportedly shot dead. Pictures show others being taken into custody, as horrified guests watched on
The incident reportedly took place around the hotel pool
Undercover officers were set upon with a hail of bullets
One local report stated: ‘Weapons were seized, one of which was exclusively for military use. An operation is underway to capture more involved parties’
Pictures posted online showed other alleged gang members being taken into custody, as horrified guests watched on.
Mexican Navy troops also arrived on the scene, as tourists were taken to safety, according to Proceso.
Meanwhile, officers reportedly seized weapons, including a firearm that is said to be used exclusively by the military.
They are now trying to go after the other alleged gang members, local reports suggest.