Violence in Valle Hermoso, drugs seized in Tamaulipas
January 18, 2011 9:18 AM
THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

Sources confirmed that weekend firefights in Valle Hermoso between members of the Gulf Cartel and the Zetas left as many as eight people dead.

Mexican authorities have yet to release information on the weekend clashes, but a source with firsthand knowledge of criminal activity in the area said several sporadic clashes took place beginning on Friday, when members of the two rival organizations clashed in the city streets.

Valle Hermoso is approximately 26 miles south of Brownsville. The most intense fighting took place on Friday afternoon, with a few sporadic clashes taking place on Saturday and Sunday night. Various residents reported hearing firefights, especially at night.

Official casualties were not readily available but the source stated that at least eight gunmen died.

Drug seizures in Tamaulipas

On Monday morning, the Mexican Army released information on seizures made from Jan. 8-14 in various operations throughout Tamaulipas.

Details of the operations were not readily available, but in a news release the Army highlighted the seizure of 8,050 pounds of marijuana, 260 small doses of cocaine, the arrest of 37 suspects, the seizure of 52 assault rifles and 11 handguns.

Also seized were 12 grenades, 448 ammunition magazines, and 8,647 ammunition rounds, one armored SUV and 46 vehicles, the release stated. The military also reported seizing 507,358.5 pesos and $727.

Stolen truck in Matamoros

In Matamoros, the Mexican Navy reported the arrest of two men and the seizure of a stolen SUV, a press release stated.

The arrest took place when the two men drove a vehicle that matched the description of a stolen vehicle, which was proved true when a group of marines in a military convoy ran the information on the truck, the release said.

The military convoy chased the SUV and after stopping it confirmed that the serial number was indeed reported as stolen. The military didn’t disclose the location of the seizure.

The SUV and the two men were turned over to Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office for further investigation and prosecution.

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