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Killings continue in embattled border city despite federal force


ASSOCIATED PRESS

9:03 a.m. June 20, 2005

NUEVO LAREDO, Mexico – A man was shot to death and assailants shot up a motel in what appeared to be drug-related attacks despite the presence of federal forces sent to quell violence in this border city.
Assailants with automatic weapons entered the Tres Caminos motel on Sunday and opened fire on three rooms in the most brazen attack since President Vicente Fox sent soldiers and federal agents to take over Nuevo Laredo.

No one was killed in the attack, but bullets shattered windows and pierced walls and witnesses told police at least three men were taken from the motel by the assailants.

Police recovered grenade fragments and more than 60 casings from AR-15 assault rifles, said Oscar Sepulveda, a state investigator.

Hours earlier, Jesus Hiram, a 21-year-old construction worker, was shot on the face and killed while he waited in his car.

Last week, hundreds of soldiers and federal police were sent to patrol Nuevo Laredo and local police were pulled off from the streets for questioning, drug screening and background checks on possible links to organized crime.

Officials had said federal agents would start leaving as of last week, but on Monday, the special task force of 300 federal agents remained in the city and local officers were still off duty.

Violence has increased all along the border as Mexico's two main drug gangs fight to control smuggling routes. Nuevo Laredo is on the front line of the battle, with more than 70 people killed since January.