26 bodies unearthed in northern Mexico

26 bodies unearthed in northern Mexico

2011-04-22 01:25:50 GMT+7 (ICT)

DURANGO, MEXICO (BNO NEWS) -- A total of 26 bodies on Thursday were unearthed from a mass grave in Durango State, northern Mexico, El Universal newspaper reported.

Federal Police conducted an operation in Las Fuentes neighborhood, located in the state capital Durango city. The bodies were found in an advanced decomposition. The search operation began on Wednesday evening.

Forensic authorities are working on identifying the bodies but due to the state of decomposition, neither the cause of death nor the identities of the victims has been determined.

The operation took place in an unused terrain located on Constituyentes street, western Durango City. The discovery came about two weeks after 145 bodies were unearthed from mass graves in Tamaulipas State, northern Mexico.

Last Saturday, the Mexican navy arrested Martín Omar Estrada Luna, also known as El Kilo, the alleged leader of the 'Los Zetas' drug cartel in the municipality of San Fernando, Tamaulipas, where the mass graves were found.

Estrada Luna is also being accused for the deaths of 72 migrants found in August last year in the same municipality. Last August, members of Los Zetas cartel killed 72 Central and South American immigrants in San Fernando.

The 145 victims were located after authorities were investigating reports that passengers from a bus were kidnapped in late March. Forensic evidence showed that the victims were beaten and tortured before being executed.

It is believed that they were people who refused to enlist within the ranks of 'Los Zetas' drug cartel. In addition, 16 San Fernando police officers were detained for cooperating and protecting Zetas members, as well as covering up the mass murders.

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