Mexico: Acapulco Police Forces under investigation

The entire Police Force of the tarnished international Mexican vacation City of Acapulco has been disarmed and is under investigation for links to drug cartels. James Blears explains why it`s been necessary for law and order chiefs to resort to this drastic action.

By James Blears

State Authorities pulled the plug on Acapulco`s entire Police Force, which has been stripped of its guns, radars, bullet proof vests, vehicles, plus all responsibilities and it`s been placed under investigation. Officials say that three senior Police Officers have been arrested and that the Force has been deeply infiltrated by drug cartels, with crime fighting grinding to a halt.

State Police, troops and Marines are now running law and order, patrolling the streets. Once the jewel in Mexico`s tourism crown, world famous for its cliff diving, the favorite spot of film stars and the site of the annual national Tourism Convention, Acapulco is now being fought over by three drug cartels, with violence spilling on to its beaches and into its Hotel Zone. Paradise lost.

Listen to James Blears' report