These vigilantes rose up in arms against the Knights Templar, a criminal organization known for drug trafficking and terrorizing people -- through extortion, executions, rape and murder -- in southwestern Mexico. The group gave CNN access to the abandoned mansion of drugs lord Efrain Isaac Rosales.
Vigilantes take over drug lord's mansion —
These vigilantes rose up in arms against the Knights Templar, a criminal organization known for drug trafficking and terrorizing people -- through extortion, executions, rape and murder -- in southwestern Mexico. The group gave CNN access to the abandoned mansion of drugs lord Efrain Isaac Rosales.
Rafael Romo/CNN
Rosales, also known as "El Tucan" (The Toucan), fled the property on January 10 when the townspeople rebelled against him and his gunmen. Locals claim that he left so fast that he even abandoned some of his weapons in the house (pictured).
Vigilantes take over drug lord's mansion —
Rosales, also known as "El Tucan" (The Toucan), fled the property on January 10 when the townspeople rebelled against him and his gunmen. Locals claim that he left so fast that he even abandoned some of his weapons in the house (pictured).
Rafael Romo/CNN
The seized property includes a two-level circular pool divided in the middle.
Vigilantes take over drug lord's mansion —
The seized property includes a two-level circular pool divided in the middle.
Rafael Romo/CNN
The house is still clean, with the exception of the bathrooms. The beds have been left unmade: pieces of furniture and objects are scattered in odd places around the property.<br />
Vigilantes take over drug lord's mansion —
The house is still clean, with the exception of the bathrooms. The beds have been left unmade: pieces of furniture and objects are scattered in odd places around the property.
Rafael Romo/CNN
From the foyer, a hallway connects to a living area where a large, dark brown leather recliner holds center stage. The vigilantes have looted the house already: many pieces of furniture are missing, giving the residence the feel of a house whose owners have just moved out.
Vigilantes take over drug lord's mansion —
From the foyer, a hallway connects to a living area where a large, dark brown leather recliner holds center stage. The vigilantes have looted the house already: many pieces of furniture are missing, giving the residence the feel of a house whose owners have just moved out.
Rafael Romo/CNN
The vigilantes also confiscated a couple of vehicles which were left at the property: a white, late-model, Dodge Ram pickup truck and a modified truck painted matt black. The latter was fitted with half-inch steel plates: it had signs of having been in a shootout, with bullet holes on the passenger side, the hood and the windshield.
Vigilantes take over drug lord's mansion —
The vigilantes also confiscated a couple of vehicles which were left at the property: a white, late-model, Dodge Ram pickup truck and a modified truck painted matt black. The latter was fitted with half-inch steel plates: it had signs of having been in a shootout, with bullet holes on the passenger side, the hood and the windshield.
Rafael Romo/CNN
The house shares two walls with the next-door Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is also painted in similar colors: bright yellow and white.
Vigilantes take over drug lord's home —
The house shares two walls with the next-door Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is also painted in similar colors: bright yellow and white.
Rafael Romo/CNN