7 Gulf Cartel Pistaleros Captured by Authorities After Gun Battle

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- A Mexican judge ordered seven men who allegedly took part in a shootout with army troops in the northern city of Reynosa that left five dead and seven others wounded to be held for 40 days, the Attorney General's Office said Sunday.

The AG's SIEDO organized crime unit is investigating the suspects' role in the two-hour running shootout last Tuesday in broad daylight with soldiers and federal agents that featured rifles and grenades, terrifying residents of Reynosa, which is across the border from McAllen, Texas.

Five suspected gunmen were killed and seven federal agents were wounded in the shootout.
The judge's order will give prosecutors time to gather evidence against the suspects ahead of the next court appearance.

The security forces seized a 60 mm mortar, five rifle grenades, two fragmentation grenades, bullet-proof vests and two SUVs from the suspects.

The clash coincided with protests staged by hundreds of people - and allegedly paid for by the Gulf drug cartel - against the army's presence in the border city.

Reynosa is in Tamaulipas state, home to the powerful and violent Gulf cartel, which has been battling the Sinaloa cartel for control of the illegal drug trade.


todo de Valleycentral.com