MEXICO BUSTS 624 FOR DRUGS IN MONTH

MEXICO CITY - The month-old government of Vicente Fox attempted
yesterday to show it is serious about combating Mexico's rampant drug
trade, unveiling detailed figures on the drugs, arms, vehicles and
suspects seized in the past month.

Officials said that since the Dec. 1 start of Fox's six-year term, the
government has seized 3.8 tons of cocaine and 146 tons of marijuana,
among other illegal substances.

The busts produced 624 arrests and the seizure of 187 vehicles, six
boats and a plane. Some 276 arms were seized and 26 clandestine
airstrips were destroyed, an official said, calling the results
"encouraging."