Six decapitated heads found in central Mexico

Residents of a small town in central Mexico woke up on Christmas Day to find six decapitated heads left out on the street, local media reported.

Near the heads authorities found a message scrawled on a piece of cardboard, but they have not released the contents of the message, the daily Excelsior said.

The six heads, all belonging to "young men," were found in Jiquilpan, a town of no more than 50,000 residents in the state of Michoacan.

"According to preliminary information, the incident is the result of a turf war between criminal gangs," the daily said.

Security around the town was beefed up, and state police set up checkpoints and patrols, as authorities braced for possible retaliation from the rival gang. Endit