MEXICO: Violence erupts in Guadalajara after arrest of drug cartel members

Record ID: 304183

  • Title: MEXICO: Violence erupts in Guadalajara after arrest of drug cartel members
  • Date: 19th January 2011
  • Summary: GUADALAJARA, JALISCO, MEXICO (JANUARY 16, 2011) (REUTERS) ( * BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **) VARIOUS OF ARRESTED MEN BEING PRESENTED TO MEDIA SEIZED WEAPONS MORE OF MEN / WOMAN BEING PRESENTED (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) JALISCO PUBLIC SECURITY MINISTER, LUIS CARLOS NAJERA, SAYING: "The people in possession of a huge arsenal were very young. The arsenal includes a calibre .72 rocker launcher. The rocket launcher was ready to fire when it was seized. Thanks to a fast response from our personnel it was disabled." MORE OF THOSE ARRESTED DURING PRESENTATION MORE OF SEIZED WEAPONS MORE OF THOSE ARRESTED MORE OF WEAPONS VARIOUS OF BURNT VEHICLES ON HIGHWAY BEING INSPECTED BY FIREMEN AMBULANCES AT SCENE EXTERIOR OF ATTACKED POLICE STATION VARIOUS OF ATTACKED POLICE VEHICLE POLICE VEHICLES / AMBULANCE AT SCENE OF ATTACK
  • Embargoed: 3rd February 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico, Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Reuters ID: LVA9ZE96RWUET8LE78JZGYLGOSM2
  • Story Text: Drug gang members go on the rampage in Guadalajara as 10 members of "La Resistencia" (The Resistance) cartel are arrested.
    The arrest of these 10 suspected drug cartel members of "La Resistencia" (The Resistance) cartel sparked a series of attacks against the police in the city of Guadalajara, located in the state of Jalisco, at the weekend.
    The suspected drug cartel members - including one woman - were arrested after they threw a grenade outside the home of the Public Security Minster for the town of Chapala. There were no reported injuries during the incident.
    Police officers arrested three men travelling in a vehicle following the grenade explosion and seized dozens of weapons including grenades from the men.
    The police were then led to a safe house. Upon arrival they were met with intense gunfire. Police officers managed to surround the house and seized a huge weapons arsenal from suspected drug gang members who tried to fire a rocket launcher at police at the time of their arrest.
    "The people in possession of a huge arsenal were very young. The arsenal includes a calibre .72 rocker launcher. The rocket launcher was ready to fire when it was seized. Thanks to a fast response from our personnel it was disabled," said Jalisco Public Security Minister, Luis Carlos Najera.
    Police also seized drugs and vehicles from the men. The group leader, known as "El Melon" (Melon), managed to flee the scene and remains at large.
    Authorities believe those arrested are responsible for the deaths of two girls - aged eight and twelve - killed last week outside a convenience store in Guadalajara. The girls were caught in cross-fire between rival drug gangs and were killed as they tried to escape.
    After the arrest of the men, a trailer and three vehicles were set on fire blocking a main highway in the city.
    The drivers were violently forced to abandon their vehicles by armed men, according to local media and eyewitnesses. The driver of the trailer was injured by grenade splinters and is recovering in hospital. He health is reported as serious.
    Moments later, unknown hitmen lobbed grenades at a police vehicle and police station.
    There were no injuries reported and those responsible for the attacks fled the scene.
    Last month, suspected drug cartel gunmen attacked each other during annual religious celebrations in a small Mexican town in the central state of Jalisco, killing 11 people and wounding 22 others.
    Mexico's spiraling war against powerful drug cartels escalated last month when security forces killed one of the leaders of the cult-like drug cartel La Familia based in Michoacan, which borders the state of Jalisco.
    About 34,000 people have been killed in drug violence over the past four years across Mexico, worrying Washington and some investors who are freezing investment just as the country pulls out of a recession.
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