Authorities in northern Mexico say they’ve destroyed 14 do-it-yourself armored vehicles of the type utilized by drug cartels to struggle land battles
MEXICO CITY — Authorities in northern Mexico stated Sunday they’ve destroyed 14 do-it-yourself armored vehicles of the type utilized by drug cartels to struggle land battles.
The autos are normally tailored from business vans, with metal plate armor welded on. Recognized in Mexico as “monstruos,” or “Monsters,” among the autos junked have been really monstrous.
Many had thick metal ramming prows welded to the entrance. Others had firing ports and gun turrets. At the very least one was painted in inexperienced camouflage to resemble a Mexican military car.
Video distributed by the federal lawyer common’s workplace confirmed a crane with a claw ripping one of many autos aside in Tamaulipas state.
The state, which borders Texas, is house to not less than two warring drug cartels, the Northeast and Gulf cartels. Prosecutors didn’t say which gang the autos belonged to or after they have been seized.
Whereas such autos seem intimidating, they’ve proved susceptible in follow. As a result of the metal armor provides a lot weight, they are typically sluggish, unwieldy and infrequently break down. Straightforward to identify, in addition they seem like susceptible to incendiary units or munitions. Many are discovered burned.
Their use illustrates the lengths Mexican cartels have gone to struggle rivals and authorities. The cartels’ weapons additionally embody improvised explosive units and bomb-dropping drones.