Police in Mexico are investigating the discovery of two decapitated human heads left near a bank in the town of Tepuche, Culiacán, Sinaloa. The first head was found on Wednesday inside a black box by a branch of the Bienestar bank on the outskirts of the town. The following morning, as detectives continued their investigation, a second head was discovered just a few metres away.
The heads have been taken for forensic examination. Local media report that one of the victims is a 23-year-old who had been reported missing, and the other is also believed to be from the town. The incidents come amid ongoing violence in Mexico, which has seen an upsurge following the killing of El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, last month.
El Mencho, Mexico's most powerful cartel leader and a top US fugitive, died after a military operation in Jalisco state. Mexico's defence secretary Ricardo Trevilla said the army and national guard launched an operation involving the air force and special forces. Intelligence gathered about one of El Mencho's romantic partners led them to his hideout.
The cartel counterattacked, resulting in the deaths of eight cartel members. El Mencho and two bodyguards were wounded and died during transfer by air to Mexico City. Rocket launchers capable of shooting down aircraft were seized at the scene. The Mexican government has pledged 'zero impunity' for drug traffickers, while US President Donald Trump has threatened higher taxes if Mexico does not curb the flow of drugs across the border.
