Mexican police say they have found 12 mutilated corpses in hidden graves on the outskirts of Cancun, the latest sign drug-related violence is spreading to the popular tourist destination.
Authorities announced the discovery Friday, adding that some of the bodies had the letter "Z" carved on their chests, a likely reference to the powerful Zetas drug smuggling gang.
The grim find is at least the second such discovery this month.
In May, Mexican police arrested Cancun's mayor Gregorio Sanchez on suspicion of offering information and protection to the Zetas, as well as the Beltran Leyva cartel.
Sanchez's Democratic Revolutionary Party denounced the charges.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.