MEXICO: Six police shot dead in drug-war torn Mexican state

Record ID: 304164

  • Title: MEXICO: Six police shot dead in drug-war torn Mexican state
  • Date: 15th November 2006
  • Summary: (BN03) AGUILILLA, MEXICO (NOVEMBER 14, 2006) (REUTERS) MILITARY TRUCK AND POLICE VEHICLES DRIVING ON ROAD VARIOUS OF POLICE VEHICLE THAT WAS ATTACKED POLICE TRANSPORTING BODIES OF VICTIMS EXTERIOR OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS SUSPECT ARRIVING TO POLICE HEADQUARTERS POLICE PUSHING POLICE VEHICLE THAT WAS ATTACKED (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MICHOACAN STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL, JUAN ANTONIO MAGAÑA, SAYING: "During an investigation they responded with gunshots outside of the town and were surprised by a group of heavily armed persons that used their weapons against the investigators." AMBULANCE TRANSPORTING BODIES OF VICTIMS
  • Embargoed: 30th November 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Reuters ID: LVADX2G2TDRIGFP46HAJ9DHJBOSE
  • Story Text: A search team found the bullet-riddled bodies of six policemen on Tuesday (November 14) in a remote area of the Mexican state of Michoacan, where drug gangs are fighting a gory turf war.
    A spokeswoman for the state prosecutor said the six men, who included a local police commander, were ambushed on Monday (November 15) night while on patrol in the state's Sierra Madre hill range, where farmers grow opium poppies and marijuana.
    The victims appeared to have been shot with high-caliber weapons. Two had been shot more than once.
    A vicious war between drug gangs has exploded in Michoacan this year. Suspected gang members have beheaded at least 15 people in the state and killed 30 police since January.
    Drug violence has surged in western Mexican states like Michoacan and Guerrero recently, despite efforts by the government of President Vicente Fox to break the gangs.
    Dozens of police also have been killed in the north of the country and in the beach resort city of Acapulco as traffickers fight for control of lucrative drug routes.
    Every year, huge quantities of cocaine, cannabis and amphetamines cross the Mexican border into the United States, the world's top drug consumer.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register