At least 19 bodies found in Mexico's latest mass graves

[News_Editor]

At least 19 bodies found in Mexico's latest mass graves

2012-03-08 21:14:54 GMT+7 (ICT)

MONTERREY, Mexico (BNO NEWS) -- At least nineteen bodies were recovered on Wednesday from three newly discovered mass graves in northern Mexico, local authorities said on Thursday. They are believed to be victims of the Mexican drug war.

The mass graves were found about 300 meters (984 feet) from San Roque-Santa Ana in the municipality of Juarez, located some 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) northeast of Monterrey, the capital of Nuevo Leon state.

Local authorities said the graves were found after preliminary investigative reports were filed following the arrest of several suspected members of the 'Los Zetas' drug cartel. The mass graves were reportedly used to dump the bodies of victims of kidnapping and extortion cases, as well as members of rival groups.

When security forces arrived at the scene on Wednesday, investigators quickly discovered pieces of at least four dismembered bodies, including legs and torsos. Coroner experts continued searching and investigating the area, eventually discovering a total of at least 19 bodies.

Nuevo Leon's Attorney General's Office ordered continued excavations in the area, which is near an abandoned ranch, in order to find further evidence to help identify the victims and their causes of death. Authorities are also investigating whether there are more bodies in the area.

In recent years, several mass graves have been discovered in the municipality of Juarez. At least 70 mutilated and burnt bodies were found in eleven mass graves in July 2011. A year earlier, in June 2010, authorities discovered at least 73 bodies in the region.

As the Mexican drug war continues, the country's Attorney General office (PGR) has said at least 12,903 drug-related killings were reported between January and September 2011, although figures for the entire year are not yet available. This will likely bring the total figure for 2011 to more than 17,000, the highest annual number yet.

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