(CBS 8) - Mexican cartels are upping the ante in the deadly drug wars throughout the country, turning ordinary trucks into machines of war.
Locals call them "the monsters" -- armored assault vehicles complete with gun turrets, bulletproof glass and one-inch steel plates resistant to low-caliber ammunition. Some of them also have battering rams.
The Mexican Army confiscated several vehicles Saturday after raiding a warehouse near the Texas border. They found dump trucks and tractor trailers that were in the process of being converted into the mean fighting machines, which can hold up to 20 people and even have air conditioning. They also found ammunition.
Two alleged criminals were killed during the raid, but it's still not clear which cartel owned these particular monsters, which can travel at speeds up to 60 miles per hour.
Mexican officials believe there are about 100 of the vehicles in existence, but they're not often seen, just used to fight other cartels.
