Raúl Luis Martins, identified as a former spy for the State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE) in Argentina and the administrator of a website and member of an organization known as Zona Divas, dedicated to sex trafficking and extortion, was extradited by the Mexican government to Argentine authorities.
According to government information, Martins’ daughter testified that she was aware of his links to drug trafficking, and that he has also been publicly linked to organized crime, including alliances with Los Zetas and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
Investigations indicate that from November 2010 until 2019, he “possibly led a criminal organization dedicated to the sexual exploitation of women, using commercial establishments classified as bars, cafes, and nightclubs where these crimes were committed.”
Raúl Luis Martins, through his lawyers, attempted to justify his extradition, according to Mexican authorities, by citing his age and health condition to prevent his extradition to Argentina.
The now-extradited man, who is already in Argentina, was wanted by the National Federal Criminal and Correctional Court No. 1 of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires for his alleged involvement in the crimes of criminal association, human trafficking for sexual exploitation, and money laundering. The Mexican government granted his extradition in compliance with the Extradition Treaty signed between Mexico and the South American nation.
For approximately seven years, his defense filed appeals and legal challenges in Cancún, Quintana Roo, and Mexico City to prevent his extradition, which the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) contested.
The FGR reported that Martins was handed over to South American agents designated for his transfer to Argentina at the Cancún International Airport. Mexico extradites to Argentina a former spy linked to drug trafficking and “Zona Divas,” a sexual exploitation group
Raúl Luis Martins—alleged to be a former spy for Argentina’s State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE) and a key figure in the organization known as “Zona Divas,” which engaged in sexual exploitation and extortion—was extradited by the Mexican government to Argentine authorities.
According to government information, Martins’ daughter testified that she had personal knowledge of the extradited man’s links to drug trafficking; Furthermore, public allegations have pointed to connections with organized crime, specifically citing alliances with Los Zetas and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
Investigations indicate that from November 2010 through 2019, he “allegedly led a criminal organization dedicated to the sexual exploitation of women, utilizing commercial premises—classified as bars, cafés, or ‘whiskerias’—where these crimes were committed.”
Mexican authorities report that Raúl Luis Martins, through his lawyers, attempted to use his age and health status as grounds to prevent his transfer to Argentina.
The extradited individual—who has now arrived in Argentina—was sought by the National Federal Criminal and Correctional Court No. 1 of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. He faced charges of criminal conspiracy, human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, and money laundering; Consequently, the Mexican government authorized his extradition in accordance with the treaty signed between Mexico and the South American nation.
For approximately seven years, his defense team filed *amparo* suits (constitutional challenges) and other legal appeals in Cancún, Quintana Roo, and Mexico City to block the extradition—efforts that were contested by the Attorney General’s Office (FGR).
The handover to the South American agents designated to transport him to the southern continent took place at Cancún International Airport, the FGR reported.
