Mexico arrests 46 suspects posing as vigilantes

MORELIA, Mexico (AP) — Mexican police have arrested 46 people who worked for criminal gangs but posed as members of vigilante "self-defense" groups.

The vigilante movement sprang up last year in the western state of Michoacan to fight the Knights Templar drug cartel.

The heavily armed vigilantes wear white T-shirts with slogans demanding freedom from criminal groups for their hometowns.

The federal envoy to Michoacan said Tuesday that the arrested gang members were wearing similar, but fake, T-shirts.

Envoy Alfredo Castillo said the arrest occurred Monday in the town of Huetamo, near the neighboring state of Guerrero.

The suspects were found with 23 guns, three grenades and a grenade launcher.

The government is trying to register and reign in the vigilantes, to avoid copy cats and infiltrators.