Mexico: New Mass Grave Found in Veracruz With 166 Human Skulls

Prosecutors in Mexico have confirmed the discovery of yet another mass grave, this one containing the remains of at least 166 people in the state of Veracruz.

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Veracruz is one of the most violent states in Mexico: since 2012, the state has identified 343 mass graves, a preferred method for organized crime networks to dispose of victims' bodies.

“We call for all the people with a missing relative that have not presented any formal complaint to approach the state’s attorney general office to take samples for the creation of genetic profiles,” said the state prosecutor, Jorge Winckler Ortiz.

Authorities have been examining the area since August 8, having found the remains in 32 different graves along with more than 200 pieces of cothing, 14 identity cards and other personal belongings. Forensic experts have been using georadars and drones.

The mass grave is in central Veracruz, on the east coast, but the exact location has not been made public for security reasons. Authorities were tipped off by a man currently under investigation. According to forensic evidence, most of the corpses have been there at least for two years.

The grave is the second-largest found in the state after the one at Colinas de Santa Fe, where the remains of 299 people were found by a group of families, mostly mothers, looking for their missing relatives.

Veracruz has long been wracked by violent crime, and is an important trafficking route for drug gangs moving narcotics north towards the U.S. border.