The Mexican authorities have removed 30 bags of human remains from clandestine graves in two vacant plots of land.

The human remains were found on two vacant plots of around 50 metres by 15 metres in the neighbourhood of Zalatitan in the city of Tonala in the Mexican state of Jalisco last week.

According to reports, the Specialised Prosecutor for the Search for Missing Persons cordoned off the two plots on suspicion that they contained hidden graves on 20th January.

Residents told local media that they were surprised by the macabre findings, as they had never noticed suspicious activity at the plots before.

Officials from the Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office, accompanied by representatives of the Forensic Medical Service (Semefo), removed around 30 bags of human remains from the plots, according to the news site Infobae.

Officials were seen loading the alleged human remains onto a lorry belonging to the Jalisco Institute of Forensic Sciences to undergo analysis and try to identify the victims.

The local authorities have yet to release a statement on the findings.

Jalisco State has reportedly seen a surge in crime since 2017, when then governor Aristoteles Sandoval admitted there was an ongoing dispute between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Nueva Plaza Cartel.

Numerous clandestine graves have been uncovered since then, allegedly used by the cartels to dispose of the bodies of victims or rival gang members.

The investigation continues.