Authorities said that remains in 26 mass graves found around San Fernando belong to people kidnapped while traveling by bus between Ciudad Victoria and the border town of Matamoros. Investigations began in early April after reports that gangsters were taking passengers from buses at gunpoint.
Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office division for Organize Crime indicted the 26 Zetas for kidnapping, organized crime and crimes against public health.
Mexico’s Department of Defense also arrested a hit man accused of participating in the attacks, according to a statement released on Wednesday.
Abraham Barrios Caporal, a member of the Zetas, was captured with three members of his cell in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz.
According to documents from the Attorney General’s Office, Barrios Caporal, 26, told authorities that the Zetas attacked the bus because they believed members of the rival Gulf Cartel, may have been traveling in disguise.
Officials also accuse Barrios Caporal, known as “Erasmo,” and other Zetas in the slaying of 72 Central and South American migrants last August.
To date, more than 80 alleged Zetas accused of participating in the mass killing have been arrested.
