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Border & Immigration

Authorities say Organized Crime Behind 16 Dead in Tijuana

Authorities say Organized Crime Behind 16 Dead in Tijuana

Baja California law enforcement officials have confirmed that organized crime is behind the murders of 16 people in Tijuana. Police found the bodies dumped around the city early Monday morning. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has details.

12 bodies were discovered in a vacant lot near an elementary school. One was 15 years old.

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Baja California law enforcement officials say they’d been tortured. Seven had their tongues cut out. Authorities found them in a black plastic bag nearby.

Authorities also found a note that warned, "This is what will happen to all of the people that cooperate with The Engineer, because of their big mouths." The Engineer is the nickname of the presumed leader of Tijuana's Arellano Felix drug cartel.

Four other bodies were discovered across town. The message attached to them said, "I'm not a traitor, but I don't like to keep company with cowards."

At a press conference late Monday, Baja’s Attorney Genera says authorities are trying to determine if the killings are related.

During the last few years, law enforcement has arrested key members of Tijuana’s Arellano Felix Cartel. That’s left a power vacuum and sparked infighting.

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Amy Isackson, KPBS news.