| | |  News Around the Republic of Mexico | August 2009 
Extortion Complaints Ground DUI Cops in Mexico
 Associated Press
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August 14, 2009
Monterrey, Mexico — State security officials have banned police from setting up sobriety checkpoints in the northern Mexican city of Monterrey because they say the officers routinely use them to extort motorists.
The rule, announced Thursday, is only the latest indignity for the local police force in Mexico's northern business hub.
Days ago, Monterrey police were banned from sitting in parked cars because of concerns that some officers may be acting as lookouts for gangs and drug cartels.
For the same reason, they've been ordered not to use cell phones while on duty.
Officers have also had their weapons confiscated as part of investigations into allegations that some were protecting traffickers.
Aldo Fasci, security secretary for the state of Nuevo Leon, which includes Monterrey, said his office has received numerous citizen complaints alleging corruption on the force.
Also on Thursday, the federal attorney general's office said it has called on Congress not to seat a congressman-elect who is accused of aiding a drug cartel.
Being seated in Congress would automatically confer immunity from prosecution on suspect Julio Godoy Toscano.
The office said it presented a letter to Congress saying Godoy Toscano is a fugitive.
Godoy is the half brother of Gov. Leonel Godoy of the western Mexican state of Michoacan; the governor has asked him to turn himself in to authorities.
Julio Godoy Toscano has proclaimed his innocence in a letter sent to members of the leftist Democratic Revolution Party, but has not yet turned himself in.
Godoy Toscano is wanted for alleged links to La Familia drug cartel. Authorities say he sought government protection for the cartel.
He is wanted in a corruption investigation that in May led to the arrests of more than 20 local officials in Michoacan. |
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