MEXICO: Mexican authorities seize hundreds of assault weapons and nearly 100,000 bullets in a raid in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila

Record ID: 304050

  • Title: MEXICO: Mexican authorities seize hundreds of assault weapons and nearly 100,000 bullets in a raid in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila
  • Date: 4th June 2011
  • Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (JUNE 3, 2011) (REUTERS) MASKED SOLDIER VARIOUS OF SEIZED WEAPONS AND AMMUNITIONS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COLONEL EDGAR LUIS VILLEGAS SAYING: "This seizure of weapons comes from intelligence received and ground surveillance undertaken in the area where we have located an underground storeroom housing the arms and ammunitions (on display)." VARIOUS OF SEIZED WEAPONS AND AMMUNITIONS VARIOUS OF MASKED SOLDIERS GUARDING OVER SEIZED WEAPONS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COLONEL EDGAR LUIS VILLEGAS SAYING: "These operations systematically weaken criminal organisations and their operating capacity." VARIOUS OF SEIZED WEAPONS AND AMMUNITIONS
  • Embargoed: 19th June 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico, Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Reuters ID: LVA72HZTK3TG50GK3YUE1OLSLW4Y
  • Story Text: The Mexican army hunting drug gangs in the north of the country seized a massive arsenal of assault weapons and ammunitions in the border state of Coahuila.
    Following reconnaissance missions in the area, authorities found hundreds of assault weapons, nearly 100,000 bullets, a grenade launcher and crossbows concealed in an underground storeroom, Colonel Edgar Luis Villegas told a news conference in Mexico City on Friday (June 3).
    "This seizure of weapons comes from intelligence received and ground surveillance undertaken in the area where we have located an underground storeroom housing the arms and ammunitions," said Villegas.
    No arrests followed the raid but authorities said the cache of weapons belong to the notorious Zetas drug cartel.
    In May authorities raided a Zetas safehouse in the nearby town of Monclova where six gang members were arrested and a ton of cocaine, advanced communication gear and luxury SUVs were seized.
    "These operations systematically weaken criminal organisations and their operating capacity," said Villegas.
    The Zetas are known for their brutality and are blamed for some of the worst atrocities in Mexico's drug war, including the murder of 72 migrants in the nearby state of Tamaulipas.
    Mexican President Felipe Calderon has staked his presidency on crushing drug gangs, whose turf wars and clashes with security forces have killed almost 40,000 people since he took power in 2006. His deployment of 70,000 troops and police has led to more violence.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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