Cancun, Riviera Maya tourists warned of the legal consequences of using drugs in Mexico

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The government of Quintana Roo and the hotel associations will force their tourists to sign a paper on drugs in their registry. The purpose of the document is to inform you that the consumption and transportation of illicit substances are crimes that are penalized.

The document is supported by the state government and the Secretary of Tourism, as it is part of the anti-drug campaign for the “Spring Breakers” season. Tourists must sign it upon arrival at hotels in Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Tulum, Chetumal, Mahahual, and Riviera Maya, where it has already been implemented.

The data that travelers must fill out in said document is the name and signature accepting to have knowledge of the document. “This informative document must be signed by the visitor as aware of the information contained therein,” says the text, in addition to confirming with the signature that, “I have read and am aware of the legal consequences of buying drugs in Mexico”.

The government of Quintana Roo has launched a warning campaign for Spring Break and Easter tourists about the consequences of buying drugs while in Mexico.

The campaign has been launched in highly public areas including restaurants, hotels, public washrooms, and the Cancun International Airport. The campaign warns the 1.1 million-plus visitors yet to arrive of the consequences of buying and doing drugs while in the country.

For the past week, posters can be seen around public areas warning visitors that drugs in Mexico are illegal and buying them will lead to trouble.

“Drugs in Mexico are illegal. Don’t be misled into thinking that purchase or use is allowed or tolerated. The purchase of drugs in Mexico is a crime punishable by imprisonment.”

“Don’t put yourself at risk. Drug dealers at beaches and nightclubs will get you into trouble. They are not your friends, they’re criminals. Enjoy a drug-free vacation and Be part of the Solution!” the posted notices read.

Quintana Roo lanza campaña para turistas contra las drogas

The busiest season has only now arrived, which Governor Carlos Joaquin points out, is from April 10 to 16 when another 1.1 million people are expected to arrive for Easter. The drug-use warning is part of the state’s “Be part of the Solution” campaign.

The General Health Law considers the possession, supply, and trade of psychotropic substances in any part of Mexican territory a crime, the official message warns.

Possession without the purpose of trade or supply — 10 months to 3 years in jail.
Possession for the purpose of trade or supply — 3 to 6 years in prison.
Trade, supply, transportation, production, and trafficking — 4 to 7.5 years in prison

“Do not turn your vacation into a permanent stay” or “Do not turn the best party into an eternal rest”, are some of the messages being issued to tourists during this holiday season.

Toni Chávez, head of the Riviera Maya Hotel Association reported that they have been working on the campaign since January when it was first proposed due to the damage that the sale of drugs has caused to tourism in the Mexican Caribbean.

“One of the problems is the sale of drugs on beaches and clubs. What we want is to make tourists aware that, first, this is not a destination or country where you can come to consume drugs without legal repercussion, and that, with all due respect, there is a supply of the product because there is demand,” he said.

According to the state Secretary of Public Security, Lucio Hernández Gutiérrez, April is a complicated month for Quintana Roo, since only last year there were 75 homicides, of which 90% are related to drug dealing and struggles for the market that is generated around tourism.

“Drug trafficking is the most critical problem in the state, and everything derived from drug dealing, due to the demand of our tourists who visit us, in parallel this campaign is being implemented to be part of the solution, inviting them to come, but in a healthy way to enjoy these wonders of nature, setting aside the risks and informing them that drugs are severely penalized here”.

Lucio Hernández Gutiérrez, Secretary of State Public Security

The campaign warns that drug use is a crime that is punishable by imprisonment. Hoteliers actively participate in dissemination.

The Cancun Post