32 more bodies found in Mexico mass graves

[News_Editor]

32 more bodies found in Mexico mass graves

2011-04-13 04:30:25 GMT+7 (ICT)

TAMAULIPAS, MEXICO (BNO NEWS) -- Mexican authorities reported on Tuesday that the number of bodies found in mass graves in Mexico's northern state of Tamaulipas rose to 120 and warned that the figure could increase, El Universal newspaper reported.

A Tamaulipas state Attorney General's Office spokesman told reporters that 32 bodies arrived early this morning at the forensic medical service located in Matamoros in the U.S. border with Brownsville, Texas. The finding was also confirmed by officials of Mexico's Attorney General Office.

The bodies were taken by marines in two military vehicles to the premises where they will be identified. Yesterday, two bodies were identified, including one Guatemalan citizen.

Authorities confirmed on Monday that 16 bodies were found after Armando César Morales Uscanga, who was arrested on Saturday, provided information for the location of new graves. Morales admitted his participation in the killing and illegal burial of 43 bodies.

The Attorney General's Office also released the photographs of the 16 detainees linked to the case, including two women, hoping that the population would recognize them from previous crimes. Most of the detainees are linked to the Zetas drug cartel, according to El Universal.

Last week, local authorities said they found the graves while investigating reports that passengers from a bus were kidnapped in late March. It is believed that they were people who refused to enlist within the ranks of Los Zetas drug cartel, yet forensic investigators have not confirmed if the bodies are the missing passengers or immigrants.

Members of Los Zetas cartel killed 72 Central and South American immigrants in August last year in the same municipality.

Due to the seriousness of the situation, the governor of Tamaulipas traveled to Mexico City to meet with Interior Secretary Francisco Blake Mora.

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