The Government of Quintana Roo, led by Mara Lezama, allocated approximately 440 million pesos for a Bell 429 GlobalRanger helicopter, according to information from Agencia Reforma. The acquisition of this aircraft, registered under the number XA-VGF, stands significantly above the standard commercial reference price of roughly 7.5 million dollars—or about 145 million pesos—for a new model of this aircraft type, creating a difference of approximately 295 million pesos.
Purchase and Security Investment Details
Mara Lezama publicly presented the Bell 429 helicopter on July 7, 2023, alongside 689 patrol units and 507 ballistic vests intended for security corporations across Quintana Roo. According to state government reports at the time, the total investment for the vehicles, protective gear, and the aircraft reached 2 mil 262 millones 685 mil pesos. During the presentation event, Lezama stated, “The security cannot be a business of anything or anyone. The people are the ones who pay for these units, it is money of the people and for the people.”
Additional coverage highlights that the administration also granted several direct-assignment contracts to companies linked to Seguritech Privada, totaling millions during Lezama’s first year in office. These included major agreements for videovigilance and C4 and C5 security systems maintenance managed by René Bustos Soler, who serves as an apoderado general for both Seguritech Privada and PABE-TAX.
Corporate Links and Private Flights
The aircraft purchase has drawn public scrutiny because the Bell 429 is connected to PABE-TAX, an air taxi company operating out of the Toluca Airport that shares business ties with Seguritech Privada. According to investigative findings from Agencia Reforma, POPLab, and CONNECTAS, PABE-TAX is also linked to two Gulfstream G200 private jets used for at least 43 international flights by Mara Lezama and her family between December 2018 and December 2025. These private trips included destinations in the United States such as Vail, Colorado, and Orlando, Florida, with estimated travel costs reaching nearly 20 million pesos.
While Lezama has acknowledged taking trips via private services, she maintains that these journeys were financed through personal funds rather than public money. Government documentation and corporate public registries show that representatives like René Bustos have acted on behalf of both Seguritech and PABE-TAX, connecting the entities through administrative paperwork even as officials emphasize that corporate ties do not automatically prove public financing of personal travel.
Evaluating the Cost Difference
The substantial gap between the 145-million-peso market reference and the 440-million-peso outlay reported by Quintana Roo does not inherently confirm an overpricing scheme. Government and security aircraft typically include specialized customization, advanced communication systems, surveillance cameras, maintenance provisions, insurance, crew services, and operational training. Establishing whether a markup occurred requires a full review of the complete contract, technical annexes, and a detailed breakdown of the services included in the final transaction.
Did You Know? The Bell 429 GlobalRanger presented by Mara Lezama on July 7, 2023, carried the registration number XA-VGF and formed part of a package that included 689 patrol vehicles and 507 ballistic vests.
Expert Insight: Price disparities between base commercial aircraft and government purchases frequently stem from specialized tactical payloads, secure communication systems, and multi-year maintenance packages. However, without a transparent, itemized contract disclosure, distinguishing between operational outfitting costs and irregular pricing remains impossible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did the Quintana Roo government pay for the Bell 429 helicopter?
According to Agencia Reforma, the state government allocated approximately 440 million pesos for the Bell 429 GlobalRanger.
What was the total investment announced during the July 2023 presentation?
Mara Lezama reported that the total investment for the Bell 429 helicopter, 689 patrol units, and 507 ballistic vests reached 2 mil 262 millones 685 mil pesos.
What is the connection between PABE-TAX and Seguritech?
Public documents and investigative reports from POPLab, CONNECTAS, and Agencia Reforma identified shared representatives, such as René Bustos, who have acted as legal apoderados for both companies.
What steps do you think authorities should take when public acquisitions diverge significantly from standard commercial valuations?
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