Feds: Guns seized at home of ex-TJ mayor tied to homicides

By Sandra Dibble
6:44 p.m., June 10, 2011

Two of the 88 firearms seized last week on the property of former Tijuana mayor Jorge Hank Rhon have been linked to homicides in Baja California, the Mexican Attorney General’s Office said Friday. According to a statement, ballistic evidence shows that a .40-caliber handgun and .380 caliber pistol found on Hank’s estate Saturday were used in committing crimes.

The latest revelation has come as a federal judge in Baja California weighs the evidence against the 55-year-old gambling magnate as she determines whether to hold him for trial or set him free. She has until early Tuesday to reach a decision.

Hank has maintained his innocence, saying he never before saw the cache of weapons allegedly seized by the military, including the firearms and nearly 10,000 rounds of ammunition. On Friday, several Mexican media organizations published photographs of a rifle and a handgun inscribed with Hank’s name, supposedly evidence presented to the court.

The statement and photographs followed a release of video images by Hank’s defense team showing the military storming his compound. The defense has been working to refute the prosecutors’ claim that soldiers who arrested Hank in his bedroom entered the compound in pursuit of armed individuals, and for that reason did not require a search warrant.

Hank’s arrest has drawn intense attention across Mexico. He is known for his wealth, political connections, and flamboyant lifestyle. Though he has for years been accused of illicit activities, he had never before been charged with a serious crime.

Hank has been in federal custody since his arrest, and is currently being held at El Hongo State Penitentiary east of Tecate. Because the charges against Hank are considered serious, he cannot post bail.

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