TIJUANA, Mexico, Oct. 4, 2008

9 Bodies Found Dumped In Tijuana

Nearly 50 People Killed In Last Week In Drug-Related Violence In Mexico Border City

  • A man with gunshot wounds lies dead on a street as a police truck is parked nearby in Tijuana, Mexico, Oct. 4, 2008.

    A man with gunshot wounds lies dead on a street as a police truck is parked nearby in Tijuana, Mexico, Oct. 4, 2008.  (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)

  • Fast Facts Mexico

    Learn about the people, economy and history.

(AP)  Police have found nine more bodies dumped around the Mexican border city of Tijuana, where nearly 50 people have been killed in a week of violence related to the drug trade.

Five men were found asphyxiated in a car Saturday in the eastern part of the city, according to the Baja California state Attorney General's Office. The men were beaten and had their hands bound.

The bodies of two beheaded men were found wrapped in blankets on a road elsewhere in the city, the office said. The heads were in black plastic bags nearby.

A piece of cardboard left by the bodies read: "These are the bricklayer's people." On Monday, a message found with 12 bodies next to a Tijuana elementary school threatened "all of those who are with 'The Engineer."'

State prosecutor Rommel Moreno has blamed the violence on warring leaders within the Arellano Felix drug gang. More than 400 people have been killed in drug-related violence in the city across from San Diego this year, including at least 49 this week.

On Friday night, two men were found shot to death in the same empty lot near the elementary school where the 12 bodies were found Monday.

Execution-style killings, beheadings and shootouts have soared across Mexico since the army and federal police intensified their fight against the drug trade nearly two years ago.

Gunmen Saturday killed the mayor of Ixtapan de la Sal, a resort town southwest of Mexico City. Salvador Vegara was in a car with two other people when the gunmen opened fire from another vehicle, said Moises Gonzalez, a spokesman for Mexico state Attorney General's Office. The two other people were injured.

In the southern city of Oaxaca, four banners purportedly signed by the Gulf Cartel blamed another drug gang, La Familia, for a Sept. 15 grenade attack that killed eight people during Independence Day celebrations in another Mexican state capital, Morelia.

Police earlier arrested three alleged Gulf Cartel hit men accused of throwing the grenades into crowds of revelers. Messages in the name of La Familia have blamed the Gulf Cartel for the attack.

Police quickly took down the banners. Oaxaca state police commissioner Jorge Quezadas said they were handed over to federal prosecutors for investigation.

© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Share:
  • Share
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Mixx
Add a Comment
by libluv2cnsor October 7, 2008 7:29 PM EDT
the worst thing that could happen is ''ellicit'' and "harmfull'' drugs are legalized..

now, thugs and criminals, are now wearing suits and having power meetings on how to push, improve and shove MORE OF thier products. They would be using marketing agencies to force new users..(just like the tobacco industry).

and to argue that its a ''choice'' thing..please remember the state of society''s backbone..its weak..people are timid..people are conditioned to feel and think that they are helpless...

Reply to this comment
by libluv2cnsor October 7, 2008 7:26 PM EDT
Snort it up, Puff it up U.S Drug users.
this is a direct result from your bad choices.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by six-6-six at 09:31 AM : Oct 06, 2008
+ report abuse


********

my god!! we finally agreed on something
Reply to this comment
by cosmo4cngres October 5, 2008 11:42 PM EDT
I honestly feared that this type of violence would escalate on our Southern Border. If Obama keeps his word and gives all illegal''s automatic citizenship.( See early debate footage at CNN.) Then America had better watch out. The level of violence that already exists in this country will skyrocket into utter chaos. If u wonder why I feel this way check out cosmoforcongress@yahoo360.com and see for yourself.
Reply to this comment
by tucano2 October 5, 2008 10:13 PM EDT
Does anyone in any country really care that drug "lords" and "soldiers" are killed??

Hopefully illegal aliens will be next on the list, as they handle the retail end of business in "our" country.
Reply to this comment

Exclusive Webshow

The road ahead in Afghanistan, and the crucial decision Obama faces.
Watch Now

Latest News
News in Pictures
Scroll Left Scroll Right
Connect with CBS News

Stay connected with the CBS News using your favorite social networks and online news applications: