Man accused of recruiting would-be cops for cartel

[January 13, 2009]  MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Criminals posing as police have become commonplace in Mexico, but prosecutors said they have uncovered an odd new twist.

The Attorney General's Office said a man has been charged with allegedly posing as a police recruiter and trying to get would-be police officers to unwittingly work for a drug cartel.

Potential recruits in the resort city of Acapulco were led on by promises of real jobs as federal police officers.

But the alleged recruiter actually worked for the Beltran Leyva drug cartel. He was aiming for 25 people, but it was unclear how many he actually recruited.

The office said Monday that the man has been ordered to stand trial on drug, organized crime and impersonation charges.

[Associated Press]

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