Gunmen dump 35 bodies on busy road

Added by Gary Dunn on September 21, 2011

Gunmen stopped traffic in Veracruz city, Mexico, and dumped 35 bodies during rush hour under a busy overpass on Wednesday, as frightened motorists looked on in horror.

Motorists posted messages on Twitter, warning others to stay away from the area of city’s biggest shopping mall, located in Boca del Rio suburb of Veracruz city, Mexico. Motorists said that the gunmen were dressed in military-style uniforms and did not appear to be soldiers or the police. The gunmen are reported to have pointed weapons at motorists in the area.

Attorney General Reynaldo Escobar Perez said that the bodies were piled in two trucks and on the ground, near and under a busy overpass. Some victims showed signs of torture, having their heads covered with plastic bags.

Police are working on identifying the victims and have identified seven victims so far. Escobar said all of the identified victims had criminal records for charges like drug dealing, extortion, murder and all were linked to organized crime. At least 12 of the victims are women.

The city of Veracruz, located on Mexico’s eastern cost, is hosting a conference for Mexico’s top federal and state prosecutors, and other judiciary officials.

The discovery marks significant escalation in drug cartel violence in Veracruz state, which is part of an important route for drugs and migrants heading north.

Drug-related violence has claimed more than 35,000 in Mexico since 2006.