SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — The Baja California State Attorney General says three recent murders near the San Ysidro Port of Entry were the result of two cartels fighting over control of criminal activities in the area.
Since November, the bodies of three men have been found near the border crossing, which is just east of the Tijuana River canal, an area frequented by the homeless and drug addicts.
Rafael Orozco Vargas, the attorney general of central Baja California, says the bodies of two of the victims were dumped in the “medical lane” of traffic, which is set aside for people with medical problems, allowing them to cross the border quickly.
The other victim, a vendor at the crossing, was shot “in plain daylight” along the northbound lanes at the port of entry.
“It’s too early in this case to have an idea who did it and why it happened, but considering the circumstances and how it took place, we are convinced it’s drug-related,” said Orozco Vargas. “All the victims were involved with criminal cells that are trying to control the drug trade in the area.”
According to Orozco Vargas, no one has been arrested in the three murders at the border but said they expect to make arrests “in the near future.”
“We are making great strides in the investigation and should have arrest warrants soon against the criminal cells that have been operating in the area,” said Orozco Vargas. “We know all three victims were part of the same group and had a working relationship.”
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