Spring Break revellers warned of 'out of control' Mexican cartels 'running riot'

A former detective in the New York Police Department has warned that college students looking to blow off some steam for Spring Break should look for options in the US given Mexico's high crime rate

Harry Thompson Senior Features Writer

08:51, 20 Mar 2023

[An ex-cop has warned people to stick to Florida instead ]

An ex-cop has warned people to stick to Florida instead (Image: Getty Images)

Mexico is at its most dangerous with cartels running riot and fun-loving spring breakers should reconsider their plans, a former detective has said.

The warning comes just weeks after four US citizens were kidnapped in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, leaving two of them dead.

Former detective at the New York Police Department Michael Alcazar had since warned that it is better to steer clear while the crime rate remains high.

The rate of murders in Mexico was around three times higher in 2021 than it was in 2006.

Alcazar told The Sun: Right now, it seems the most dangerous time [ever] to travel to Mexico.

[Crime rates in Mexico are currently high ]

Crime rates in Mexico are currently high

The Mexican Government doesnt have any control over whats happening with the cartels. The cartels seem to be running riot.

He urged people to choose other options, including heading down to Florida, rather than taking a risk and visiting Mexico.

Its not worth getting hurt, or killed, or kidnapped for a couple [of] weeks break from college, he said.

He claimed that despite insistence from the Mexican government that everything was fine, the danger still remains.

The cartels are very violent and more overt. Theyre very violent and they want their violence to be feared.

[Shaeed Woodard was one of two killed following the kidnapping ]

Shaeed Woodard was one of two US citizens killed following the kidnapping

He even said that for people who are planning on visiting, if you can you should try and get a refund.

They should be super cautious if they feel safe to travel.

Americans should travel in groups either with family or friends.

He added: Cartels look for people that have money. They are hunting thats what they do.

[Thousands of Americans head down to Mexico for spring break at each year ]

Thousands of Americans head down to Mexico for Spring Break each year (Image: Getty Images)

Americans are a commodity for cartels to make money.

Warnings about the dangers facing people who visit Mexico have been common with officials formally warning people to steer clear for now.

Texas Department of Public Safety director Steven McCraw said: Based on the volatile nature of cartel activity and the violence we are seeing there, we are urging individuals to avoid travel to Mexico at this time.

[ arrests have been made following the kidnapping of four US citizens which left two of them dead ]

Arrests have been made following the kidnapping of four US citizens which left two of them dead

The US State Department has listed the Mexican states of Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas as areas with high crime rates and the threat of abduction.

The four victims in the recent kidnapping have since been identified as Latavia "Tay" McGee, Shaeed Woodard, Eric James Williams, and Zindell Brown.

Brown and Woodward lost their lives in the incident.

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