Mexican military: 17 alleged cartel members killed, 4 abductees rescued in northern Tamaulipas cities
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April 19, 2011 8:14 PM
Naxiely Lopez
The Monitor

McALLEN — Mexican military officials announced the rescue of four kidnapping victims, the deaths of 17 people believed to be part of a criminal organization and the arrests of 51 others after a six-day operation throughout northern Tamaulipas border cities.

Mexico’s Ministry of Defense — known by its Spanish acronym SEDENA — released a statement Monday documenting its findings from April 10 through Saturday throughout the military’s 8th zone, which includes Reynosa, San Fernando and Miguel Aleman.

None of the identities for the kidnapping victims, deceased or arrested were released. Seizures, usually the results of gun battles, were simply listed without providing any other details surrounding the incidents.

Soldiers seized more than 7,000 pounds of marijuana, 129 grams of cocaine and 51 grams of crack cocaine, officials said.

They also recovered 106 long guns, 10 handguns, one rocket launcher, 18 grenades, 29,986 cartridges, 1,017 magazines, 26 holsters, 17 magazine holders, one tactical vest, 27 bullet-proof vests and 26 armored plates for the vests, according to the document.

Military vestments also were seized, including 10 uniforms, seven shirts and 13 pairs of pants. Two ski masks, a Kevlar helmet, two anti-fragmentation helmets and six sombreros were found along with a cap that read “policeâ€