Two bodies were found on a hillside and three others were discovered in an illegal dump, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday. The deaths has revived concerns that organized crime groups are escalating their battle for control of the border city.

But Tijuana's secretary of public security compared the killings to barely noticed Los Angeles-area gang slayings.

"The only difference here is how dramatic the deaths are," Alberto Capella Ibarra told the Times.

One of the victims was found with his head placed on his upper back. Three others had their heads placed at their feet.

Authorities haven't identified the victims but say they may have been associates of reputed drug cartel leader Fernando Sanchez Arellano, the Times said.