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Feds: Mexican Drug Lords Planned Military-Style Attack

CHICAGO (AP) — Federal prosecutors in Chicago say the leaders of a powerful Mexican drug cartel once planned a military-style attack on a U.S. or Mexican government building.

Prosecutors described the allegations in documents filed Thursday in the case against Vicente Zambada, who they say is a top lieutenant in the Sinaloa cartel. He's in custody in Chicago awaiting trial.

Prosecutors say the cartel members were upset about American law enforcement interfering with their drug business and sought dozens of American-made weapons for an attack in Mexico City.

Prosecutors say a cartel leader said the attack was intended to "send the gringos a message."

The possible targets included government buildings, an embassy or consulate or media outlet.

The plot was allegedly hatched during a 2008 meeting at a mountaintop compound in Mexico.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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