Authorities find six burned bodies in country's north

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP):

Mexican authorities say six bodies found outside the northern city of Monterrey were burned so badly that investigators couldn't determine the cause of death or the victims' gender.

A Nuevo Leon state prosecutors' spokeswoman says the bodies were found on a dirt road north of the city Sunday morning, and bore the hallmarks of cartel killings.

The spokeswoman said cartels have been known to burn bodies to prevent identification and to terrorise rivals.

She spoke on condition of anonymity because she is not authorised to be identified by name.

Officials say more than 100 people - including at least 20 police officers - have been killed in Nuevo Leon this month, as cartels fight over smuggling routes to the United States.