MEXICO CITY, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Mexican police have arrested five alleged members of the Zetas drug cartel accused of setting fire to a casino that killed 52 people last week, officials said.
Nuevo Leon state Gov. Rodrigo Medina said the suspects, ages 18 to 37, admitted to participating in Thursday's arson attack at the Casino Royale in the capital city of the northeastern Mexican state, Monterrey, Milenio reported Monday.
Medina said fingerprints that were left behind and surveillance cameras that show two men filling large jugs with gasoline at a nearby gas station helped capture the men.
Police are investigating whether the attack could have been in retaliation for the casino's failure to pay extortion money to the gang. Two other suspects are still wanted.
Mexican gangs are responsible for extorting thousands of business owners who pay fees to fund the drug organizations.
Los Zetas is one of the largest drug smuggling and crime gangs in Mexico, founded by former Mexican special forces soldiers.
