Mexican Federal Police and military units capture 26 Zetas in Nayarit, northeast of Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco -
Security forces captured 26 members of the Los Zeta drug cartel early Saturday in Tepic, the capital of the Pacific coast state of Nayarit.

The operation was carried out by Mexican marine and army units assisted by the Federal Police, authorities said.

Tepic is about 100 miles from Puerto Vallarta.

The 26 suspects were heavily armed, according to the state prosecutor's office, which said they are Zetas. Most are reported to be from the border state of Tamaulipas, where Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel are locked in a violent struggle for control of U.S. bound drug trafficking routes. Mexican army captures leader of Gulf Cartel.

More than two dozen weapons were seized when the men were taken into custody, together with many rounds of ammunition.

In October 2012 Los Zetas claimed responsibility for a hand grenade and machine gun attack against Vallarta's then chief of police and his escorts, a few blocks from the city's boardwalk and main tourist strip. The team was traveling in an armored vehicle and escaped without injury, but several passersby were not so lucky. The chief resigned five days later. PV: tensions linger after brazen narco attack.

Puerto Vallarta is experiencing the lingering effects of a stagnant U.S. economy, as well as domestic security worries related to the 81 month old drug war. Puerto Vallarta sweats through the dog days of summer.

Although serious street crime in the resort city affects very few international visitors, when such cases do occur they are rarely solved. "No clues" a common response with Puerto Vallarta P.D.

Pacific coast violence
Feb. 6 - International press bombards Acapulco: "a death zone"
Feb. 10 - Mexican marines arrest chief executioner for El Chapo Guzmán in Sinaloa state
Feb. 11 - Another Jalisco police officer executed near Manzanillo
Apr. 26 - A bankrupt Acapulco can't meet its payroll

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