Border residents fear message on mysterious billboards

KHOU — EL PASO, Texas — El Paso police are investigating two mysterious billboards that appeared just off I-10, each with a mannequin hanging from a noose. “It’s not an advertisement,” said Mike Mons, regional manager for Lamar Outdoor advertising. The first vandalized billboard off I-10 had Plata o Plomo in large black letters which translates into silver or lead. It is usually a warning targeting police or government officials in Mexico. The warning: work with a cartel and take a bribe or get a bullet. The hanging mannequin was dressed in a suit and tie. “This symbol has historically been used by Mexican drug cartels to threaten or intimidate Mexican citizens, business owners and government officials; however, we have never experienced this in El Paso,” said police in a statement released to media. [Read More]