MORELIA, Mexico (AP) — A Mexican federal official says authorities have seized a ship loaded with more than 75,000 tons of iron ore in the Pacific port of Manzanillo and are investigating if the mineral was stolen by a drug cartel.
Federal envoy to Michoacan state Alfredo Castillo said Wednesday that authorities seized the Jian Hua after receiving a tip last week that the ship was carrying iron ore illegally extracted from mines in Michoacan.
He says the company has 30 days to show authorities that its load of iron ore was legally extracted.
Castillo has said that the Knights Templar drug cartel now counts illegal mining among its biggest moneymakers.