Police Investigate Threatening Messages On 2 El Paso Billboards

May 22, 2014



A mannequin dangling from a billboard off Interstate 10 has many people asking why it was placed there.

El Paso police are investigating the act of vandalism.

The mannequin was hanging from a rope around its neck that was attached to a billboard for public display Thursday morning. The billboard is in the 9400 block of Gateway East Boulevard.

The billboard it was attached to also had a message in Spanish that read: "Plata-O-Plomo," translated literally means "silver or lead." But the meaning is much deeper “pay or die.”

Many motorists traveling along Interstate 10 west near Joe Battle and George Dieter became distracted during early morning rush hour.

It’s a threatening message and a signature of the Mexican drug cartels.

“That’s the game of the cartel. That’s what they do,” said Malik Taylor of San Elizario.

In a statement the El Paso Police Department said, “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.”

Fire crews were called out to the scene to remove the mannequin.

Police investigators dusted for prints and followed tire treads

El Paso police said a second billboard was also vandalized on the 5200 block of Gateway East, near Copia Street in south-central El Paso.

The second billboard read "Dying for Drugs," also with a mannequin hanging from the billboard in a noose.



The mysterious messages had many people wondering if it was truly a threat or a hoax. KFOX14 viewers wondered if it may be linked to activism or publicity for an upcoming movie titled "Plata-o-Plomo."

Before noon Wednesday both companies had replaced the vandalized billboards.

El Paso police said they have not received information to suggest this was done to target an individual or business at this time.

An investigation is ongoing.