Canadians jailed in Mexico investigated by organized crime unit

MONTREAL — The five Canadians arrested in Mexico on New Year's Eve are being investigated by Mexico's organized crime branch, according to EFE, a Spanish language news agency.

Arrested by municipal police along with seven Mexicans after a shooting erupted in a popular nightclub in Puerto Vallarta, the detainees were then transferred to military police and are incarcerated near Mexico City.

According to Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs consular officials continue to press for answers as to why the five men were held for four days before the embassy was notified. They have expressed concern to their Mexican counterparts about the mistreatment of the men in detention.

According to EFE, the men are in the preventive custody of the Siedo, Mexico's anti-organized crime unit in Jalisco, a state where the Sinaloa drug cartel operates.