An ongoing investigation into a ranch just south of the Texas border with Mexico led to the discovery of six human torsos. The dismembered bodies were unearthed in what investigators believe is yet another killing field used by the Gulf Cartel.
The discovery took place this weekend when members of the search groups Lazos Unidos por Encontrarlos (United Ties to Find Them) and Buscando Tus Pasos (Looking For Your Steps) searched a property called Ranch La Rosita on the southeast side of Reynosa.
“The border area is one of the places with the largest number of missing persons,” said Buscando Tus Pasos spokeswoman Elvira Ramirez.
The group had responded to calls for help from a woman who was searching for a missing loved one and had found an approximate area where his remains could be. They went to the abandoned site, and as soon as they began their search efforts, they began to notice an all-too-familiar smell.
Search groups near Reynosa found pieces of clothing. (Credit Buscando Tus Pasos)
“We knew there was something there,” Ramirez said. They documented the spot for authorities, who then were able to determine that it was a shallow gravesite with various dismembered body parts. “We continued searching around, and we found several charred fragments.”
The group turned their findings over to authorities with the Tamaulipas State Attorney General’s Office, who have since obtained a search warrant and begun gathering the human remains and searching the property.
“They are finding more dismembered remains,” Ramirez said. “They also found tools. We believed they did things to the bodies in that location.”
Human torsos being pulled out by authorities near Reynosa. (Credit Buscando Tus Pasos)
So far, authorities have recovered six torsos, other severed limbs, chunks of hair, and some old clothing. The bodies appear to have been buried just days before the group discovered them.
She said the members of the searching groups are not out to point fingers or go after anyone. The purpose of the groups is to bring answers to the thousands of families throughout Mexico that have lost a loved one and are clinging to the hope of finding them alive or at least bringing closure and support to them.
Clandestine gravesite used by cartel gunmen to hide bodies. (Credit: Buscando Tus Pasos)
When we come out here, we come with great fear because, through these dirt roads, there have been bombs and explosions, Ramirez said. As Breitbart Texas reported, various factions of the Gulf Cartel have been setting up landmines and similar devices along various dirt roads as part of their tactics to keep out rivals. These tactics have already injured or killed several innocent victims.
The search groups work strictly on a volunteer basis and are ready to set out in their search parties at a moment’s notice.
“There are many many families living through this pain, and they don’t know what to do,” Ramirez said. “Even families in the United States who have a loved one missing over here and they can’t travel here or don’t know what to do, we can help.”
Ildefonso Ortiz is an award-winning journalist with the Breitbart News Foundation. He co-founded Breitbart News Foundation’s Cartel Chronicles project with Brandon Darby and senior Breitbart management. You can follow him on Twitter and on Facebook. He can be contacted at [email protected].
Brandon Darby is the managing director and editor-in-chief of Breitbart Texas. He co-founded Breitbart News Foundation’s Cartel Chronicles project with Ildefonso Ortiz and senior Breitbart management. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook. He can be contacted at [email protected].
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