Mexican authorities release a dozen former officials detained for alleged organized-crime ties

Mexico releases officials with alleged crime ties

MORELIA, Mexico — Four ex-mayors, a judge, a governor’s aide and a handful of other Mexican public officials have been released from a Mexican jail where they were being held for alleged ties to organized crime.

Prosecutors say there wasn’t enough evidence to hold the 12 men — among 31 former officials arrested in the western state of Michoacan last year. The men walked out of the prison before dawn Saturday and were met by relatives in waiting cars. Michoacan has been a hotspot for drug violence.