Heliport
10th Mar 2004, 15:49
Reuters report
Mexico anti-drug helicopter shot down, pilot dies
MEXICO CITY, March 9 (Reuters) - The pilot of a Mexican anti-drug helicopter was killed on Tuesday when his craft was shot down while destroying marijuana crops with a chemical spray, Mexico's attorney general said.
The helicopter was shot with high-powered weapons near Culiacan in the northern state of Sinaloa during a joint mission by the defense ministry and the attorney general's office, the office said.
Air Force Lt. Ricardo Romo lost control of the helicopter and crashed.
The attorney general's helicopters have suffered a rash of attacks in recent weeks. One was hit by six shots from a high-powered weapon in the Pacific coast state of Guerrero, the office said.
Mexico is a major grower of marijuana and opium poppies and is a main route for Colombian cocaine bound for the United States. Sinaloa has seen a wave of drug-related violence this year.
Mexico anti-drug helicopter shot down, pilot dies
MEXICO CITY, March 9 (Reuters) - The pilot of a Mexican anti-drug helicopter was killed on Tuesday when his craft was shot down while destroying marijuana crops with a chemical spray, Mexico's attorney general said.
The helicopter was shot with high-powered weapons near Culiacan in the northern state of Sinaloa during a joint mission by the defense ministry and the attorney general's office, the office said.
Air Force Lt. Ricardo Romo lost control of the helicopter and crashed.
The attorney general's helicopters have suffered a rash of attacks in recent weeks. One was hit by six shots from a high-powered weapon in the Pacific coast state of Guerrero, the office said.
Mexico is a major grower of marijuana and opium poppies and is a main route for Colombian cocaine bound for the United States. Sinaloa has seen a wave of drug-related violence this year.