Police Chief Blames Resignation on Politics

The police chief in the border city of Tijuana has resigned his post, saying political pressure made it impossible for him to do his job.

Police Chief Carlos Otal Namur handed in his letter of resignation Friday to the mayor of the city that is plagued by drug violence, kidnappings and car theft.

In April, Otal and 40 other officials and police officers in Baja California were detained by federal authorities and taken to Mexico City for questioning on allegations involving the protection of the Tijuana-based Arellano Felix drug-smuggling organization. The chief was later released.

Otal, who became chief in December, told reporters he felt compelled to resign because of the pressure of constant rumors that he was about to be fired by Mayor Jesus Gonzalez Reyes and the City Council.