Mexican authorities destroy 14 homemade armoured cars used by drug cartels

In this undated photo released by the Mexican Federal Attorney General’s Office, a crane hovers over an armored vehicle in Reynosa, Tamaulipas state, Mexico. Authorities in northern Mexico said Sunday, June 18, 2023 that they have destroyed 14 homemade armored cars of the kind used by drug cartels to fight land battles. (Mexican Federal Attorney General’s Office via AP)

Authorities in northern Mexico say they have destroyed 14 homemade armoured cars of the kind used by drug cartels to fight land battles.

The vehicles – known in Mexico as “monstruos”, or “monsters” – are usually adapted from commercial trucks, with steel plate armour welded on.