Two more bodies found in northern Mexico's mass graves, 226 overall

Two more bodies found in northern Mexico's mass graves, 226 overall

2011-06-02 05:18:27 GMT+7 (ICT)

DURANGO, MEXICO (BNO NEWS) -- Mexican authorities on Wednesday announced that two more bodies were discovered in a mass grave in Durango State, northern Mexico, bringing the total to 226.

According to El Universal newspaper, the bodies of two men were unearthed in a mass grave in Valle de la Guadiana neighborhood in the state's capital Durango city. Federal Police and Mexican Army have located dozens of bodies in mass graves in five different areas of the state, including four in the capital city.

As local authorities continue excavating different areas of the state, which have been confirmed as mass grave sites, legislators and business leaders have harshly criticized the lack of preventive security measures on behalf of federal and state authorities.

State political leader Juan Carlos Gutierrez Fragoso, of the National Action Party (PAN), stressed that finding mass graves and bodies was not enough, as authorities must find those behind the killings to recover the state's social calm.

In early April, Mexico's Attorney General Marisela Morales announced the arrest of 74 people in relation to the mass graves discoveries in Durango. Among the detainees are 17 police officers from San Fernando who protected criminal activities from drug cartels.

On Wednesday, the Attorney General's Office (PGR) announced that arrest warrants were issued against 73 individuals suspected of being involved in the mass graves discovered earlier this year in Tamaulipas State.

Authorities unearthed 183 bodies from mass graves in San Fernando municipality, Tamaulipas. Among the victims were also migrants from Guatemala. It is believed that the victims 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, while more than 30,000 people have died in drug-related violence since Mexican President Felipe Calderon began his campaign to fight organized crime in December 2006.

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