US gives Mexico armored vehicles to aid drug fight

The Associated Press
12:18 p.m. May 15, 2009

MEXICO CITY — Mexico has received eight armored vehicles as part of a U.S. aid package to help the government with its nationwide fight against drug cartels.

The U.S. Embassy says the vehicles were handed over to federal police agents to protect them during counternarcotics operations.

The United States has plans to deliver $39 million in nonintrusive inspection equipment as well as new ballistics equipment for forensics laboratories in the next weeks. The U.S. also has initiated a broad range of training programs in coordination with Mexican law enforcement authorities.

The U.S. Congress has appropriated $700 million over the past two years to help Mexico fight the cartels.

The Mexican government held a ceremony Friday to receive the vehicles