Mexico destroys 14 homemade armored vehicles of drug gangs

Mexican authorities have destroyed 14 armored vehicles that drug cartels had converted from trucks for use in violent acts.

Images released on June 18 by Mexico's Attorney General's office show officials using a crane with steel claws to destroy confiscated homemade armored vehicles in Reynosa, Tamaulipas state.

In Mexico, these vehicles are known as "beasts," custom-made by drug cartels by welding large steel plates onto civilian trucks. Many feature massive steel plow blades at the front, while others have loopholes and turrets for machine guns.

A crane destroys a makeshift armored vehicle used by a gang in Reynosa, Tamaulipas state, northern Mexico, in a photo released on June 18. Photo: AP

At least one was painted in camouflage green to resemble a Mexican military vehicle. Last August, the state of Tamaulipas announced the seizure of 257 such vehicles over the past four years.

The state of Tamaulipas, which borders the U.S. state of Texas, is a battleground for two drug cartels known as the Northeast and the Bay Area. Prosecutors did not specify which cartel the homemade armored vehicles belonged to or when they were seized.

Such vehicles may look intimidating, but in reality, they are easily damaged. Thick steel plates welded on add to the vehicle's weight, making them slow, cumbersome, and prone to stalling. They are also easily spotted and vulnerable to petrol bombs or incendiary projectiles. Mexican authorities have discovered many that have been burned to ashes.

Homemade armored vehicles are among the many devices and weapons that Mexican gangs use to confront rivals and authorities. These gangs also use improvised explosive devices and drones that drop grenades to counter officials.

Huyen Le (According to AP, DC News Now )

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