Mexican authorities find 11 more bodies

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VERACRUZ, Mexico, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Mexican authorities discovered at least 11 bodies in the coastal state of Veracruz, two days after 35 bodies were dumped in the vicinity, officials said.

The latest bodies were found in four locations in and around the gulf port city of Veracruz and Boca del Rio Thursday, El Universal reported.

Thirty-five other corpses with suspected links to drug gangs were found Tuesday under a highway bridge in Boca del Rio, just 3 miles outside the center of Veracruz.

Mexican Attorney General Marisela Morales said Tuesday's killings stemmed from a drug-dealing dispute, but it was unclear whether the attacks are related.

"The effects of this illicit activity are not only seen reflected in the poisoning of our society, but it is also the motor generating the violence," Morales said.

Boca del Rio has become a frequent site of clashes among drug-related Mexican gangs. About 42,000 people have been killed since 2006 when President Felipe Calderon started fighting drug gangs.

Morales met with Veracruz Gov. Javier Duarte, state prosecutors and judges Thursday in Boca Del Rio, CNN reported.

Duarte said all of the 12 women and 23 men whose bodies were discovered Tuesday had criminal records.

"In the end, crime pays badly," Duarte said.

Authorities have released more details about the earlier victims. Two were juveniles and one a missing police officer.