271 people, mostly minors, freed from 'inhumane' drug rehab in Mexico

MEXICO CITY, May 19 (UPI) -- At least 271 people, mostly minors, were rescued from an overcrowded drug rehabilitation center in Mexico that authorities described as "inhumane."

Mexican authorities announced on Wednesday a police operation Tuesday night found that 91 men, 68 women and 112 minors were alleged victims of the Spiritual Awakening, Alcoholics and Drug Addicts of the West rehab center in Mexico's western state of Jalisco. Officials said at least 18 minors were abused and 13 had been physically beaten and burned with cigarettes.

"We found very serious conditions of overcrowding," Jalisco State Attorney Jesús Eduardo Almaguer said in a statement. "We also found that people were being fed in a subhuman and inappropriate way."

At least 11 men were arrested on suspicion of mistreating and abusing women and children, while 11 others face arrest warrants. The Jalisco state attorney's office was alerted to the problem after receiving a complaint from a woman who said she was beaten and held at the facility until she paid about $80 after visiting a patient.

Jalisco State Gov. Aristóteles Sandoval said a thorough investigation into sexual and physical abuse, extortion and deprivation of liberty has been launched.

"It is not possible that people seeking help to quit their addiction problem are confused and abused so inhumanely," Sandoval said in a statement. "We will review all rehabilitation centers to prevent from happening what we found in this shelter."