http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexi ... illed.html

ASSOCIATED PRESS

11:49 a.m. December 30, 2005

TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, Mexico – Gunmen opened fire on an immigration booth near the border with Guatemala, killing an immigration official inside, officials said Friday.

Noel Munoz, 43, was killed Thursday in Huehuetan as several of his co-workers watched helplessly from nearby booths, said Jose Domingo, a spokesman for the state Attorney General's office.

The gunmen got out of a car and opened fire on Munoz at close range, Domingo said.

Officials are investigating whether the killing was related to the region's thriving migrant smuggling trade. Each year, smugglers help thousands of Central Americans sneak into Mexico on their way to crossing illegally into the United States.

Smuggling has increased recently after disastrous flooding and mudslides killed hundreds in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras this fall.