More bodies located in mass graves in northern Mexico

More bodies located in mass graves in northern Mexico

2011-05-05 03:31:56 GMT+7 (ICT)

DURANGO, MEXICO (BNO NEWS) -- Mexican authorities located six more bodies in mass graves in northern Mexico, rising the number of bodies found to 110, La Jornada newspaper reported on Wednesday.

A new clandestine grave was found on Tuesday as a result of a joint operation by the Federal Police and the Mexican Army in the southern part of Durango city. The discovery came just after authorities suspended last week excavations in two clandestine graves that were found during the month of April.

Dozens of bodies were discovered in nearby sites in Durango State during the month of April. Forensic authorities have been 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.

In late March, 145 bodies were unearthed from mass graves in San Fernando municipality, Tamaulipas State. It is believed that they were people who refused to enlist within the ranks of 'Los Zetas' drug cartel.

According to government figures, a total of 15,273 drug-related crimes occurred in Mexico in 2010. More than 30,000 people have died in drug-related violence since Mexican President Felipe Calderón began the fight against organized crime in December 2006.

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