Mexican navy detains 35 cops linked to drug cartel

XALAPA, Mexico, Sept 24, 2012 (AFP) - The Mexican navy has detained 35 police officers from the eastern state of Veracruz over their suspected ties to the powerful Zetas drug cartel, the navy said on Monday.

The state police officers were arrested in operations in the Veracruz capital of Xalapa and in San Luis Potosi, capital of the central state with the same name, the navy said in a statement.

"They were all police officers in the Veracruz public security department and allegedly collaborated with the Zetas criminal organization," the statement said.

A navy source told AFP the officers were being taken to Mexico City, where they will be presented in front of news cameras. Mexican authorities regularly parade suspects after their arrest.