Tough sanctions applied to Cancun bars for underaged drinking

So far this year authorities have encountered 50,000 minors around 32 bars in the hotel zone, or drinking alcohol in Cancun….

CANCUN — Media reports indicate a total of 32 establishments recently have been either closed or fined in the Cancun Hotel Zone for serving alcohol to minors, a problem that continues to grow.

Benito Juárez Municipal Director of Inspection, Eduardo Mariscal de la Selva, said that already this year they have found more than 50,000 underaged youths either inside or trying to enter Cancun Hotel Zone establishments.

He explained that the underaged minors try to get into restaurants, bars and nightclubs where they are likely to be served alcohol. He says that during last month, they identified 5,000 minors either inside clubs or standing in lines at night to enter these establishments.

The official also remarked that at the inspections in bars, his agency collaborates with other units, such as the Public Prosecutor’s office, Cofepris, Civil Protection, Public Security and Sefiplan (Ministry of Finance and Planning); these operations check not only the entrance of minors, but also that the alcohol that is sold there is not adulterated, in addition to the schedule that must be respected.

“There are several issues of delinquency derived from the consumption of alcohol. We have had a good response from the parent’s society, the more eyes that support the things we do, the more transparency we have,” he said.

He contended that the closures on the eve of the first Government Report of Municipal President Remberto Estrada was not a media coup, instad it is about protecting minors and ensuring that employers respect the alcohol sales schedule.

When asked if he received threats from organized crime for the closures that are made, he said no. What he did say is that some business chambers do not agree in the closures of their members, but this is about getting things done, even if one entrepreneur is overshadowed, but often it is the staff in charge that does not adhere to the norms.

Finally, Mariscal de la Selva commented that none of the inspectors or law enforcement officers has the right to charge “right-to-operate”, and if someone does the affected should go to the direction in charge to file a formal complaint in the matter.

Sources:

• www.riviera-maya-news.com
• www.lapalabradelcaribe.com
• lasillarota.com