Mexico sends troops to Acapulco to combat drug gangs
Source: Reuters
MEXICO CITY, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Mexico has sent almost 8,000 troops and crack federal police to fight rampant drug trafficking in and around the Pacific resort city of Acapulco, President Felipe Calderon said on Friday. Stemming a surge in drug-related violence is a top priority for Calderon, who took office in December and quickly deployed troops to some of the worst affected states. The 7,600-strong Acapulco force -- made up of elements from the air force, army, navy and federal police -- will be sent into the rugged hills behind the once glamorous coastal resort to destroy drug plantations and look for smuggling gangs. Elite federal agents armed with automatic weapons have in recent days stopped and searched cars driving along Acapulco's hotel-lined seafront. "With this I know we will improve the security conditions for residents of Acapulco and all Mexicans and foreigners who visit for work or leisure," Calderon said. Acapulco has lost much of its sparkle since it was made famous in the 1950s by Hollywood stars like John Wayne and Elizabeth Taylor, but is still popular with tourists like U.S. "spring-breaker" students. The state of Guerrero, home to Acapulco, has long been a major marijuana and opium poppy growing area, but the rival Gulf and Sinaloa cartels are battling for control of the plantations and trafficking routes in the region. Last year, allies of the rival gangs fought daylight battles in Acapulco's streets, lobbing grenades and on one occasion hanging the decapitated heads of two police officers outside a government building.
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