Mexican President Felipe Calderon said on Friday that Mexico has dispatched troops to contain drug-related crimes and violence around the Pacific resort of Acapulco.

The 7,600-strong troops, including navy, army, air force and federal police forces, will destroy drug plantations and search for drug-trafficking gangs in the area.

The action came against the backdrop of a surge of drug-related violence in Acapulco, a major marijuana and opium poppy growing area, where two rival drug gangs are jostling for control over the plantations and drug smuggling routes.

The move would improve security for Acapulco residents and all Mexicans as well as for foreigners visiting the country, the president said.

The resort, in the state of Guerrero, is frequented by foreign tourists, especially from the United States.

Source: Xinhua