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Mexican authorities seize drug cartel ship; confiscate 68,000 tons of illegal iron ore

A drug cartel's ship containing 68,000 tons of illegal iron ore was seized by Mexican authorities following an anonymous tip.

By JC Finley
Empty dump trucks are pictured waiting to enter North Korea to be filled with iron ore, a popular destination for iron ore smugglers from South America. (UPI Photo/Stephen Shaver)
Empty dump trucks are pictured waiting to enter North Korea to be filled with iron ore, a popular destination for iron ore smugglers from South America. (UPI Photo/Stephen Shaver) | License Photo

MEXICO CITY, May 2 (UPI) -- Mexican authorities announced this week they have seized a drug cartel's ship and the 68,000 tons of iron ore aboard.

Authorities detained the ship, Jian Hua, near the Pacific port of Manzanillo after it had departed from the port of Lazaro Cardenas.

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An anonymous tip led to the seizure.

Illegal ore is usually trafficked to China, and Lazaro Cardenas is a popular port used by drug traffickers.

The mayor of Lazaro Cardenas was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of ties to the Knights Templar drug cartel. The town treasurer was also arrested.

Knights Templar are known iron ore smugglers, in addition to trafficking methamphetamine to the U.S.

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