23 police officers arrested over alleged ties with drug cartel in central Mexico

[News_Editor]

23 police officers arrested over alleged ties with drug cartel in central Mexico

2011-05-03 00:18:35 GMT+7 (ICT)

GUANAJUATO, MEXICO (BNO NEWS) -- Mexican authorities on Monday announced that 23 police officers were arrested over their alleged ties with La Familia drug carter in central Mexico, El Universal newspaper reported.

The detainees were members of the Tarandacuao police department in southern Guanajuato State. The suspects were arrested for alleged facilitating bribery, kidnapping and murder by drug cartel's gunmen.

Following the massive detentions, the Guanajuato State Police took over the operations of Tarandacuao municipality's security operations. The operation was conducted by Mexico's Attorney General's Office (PGR)

However, state forces were not able to arrest Jesús Cárdenas Gómez, director of the Tarandacuao police, and he is at large. He is accused of directing the police officers under his command to aid La Familia drug cartel's illegal activities.

This was the first time that an entire police force is arrested for aiding organized crime. Prosecutor Carlos Zamarripa said that the police-gunmen ties were discovered after the murder of three people between February and April.

The investigation is ongoing and Tarandacuao mayor, Roberto Juan García Pérez, is also under the spotlight for alleged links to the deadly La Familia organization, which last November offered to disband if Mexico's government authorities guarantee peace in the region.

However, PGR quickly and decisively said that Mexico will not negotiate with any criminal organization under any circumstances. La Familia is one of the strongest drug cartels in Mexico and is based in central western state of Michoacan.

Over 30,000 people have died in Mexico due to drug-related violence since President Felipe Calderon was elected in 2006 and launched a government offensive against criminal organizations.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-05-03