Authorities in Mexico say 11 more bodies have been found in and around the Gulf coast city of Veracruz, days after criminals left the remains of 35 other people around the area.

Officials say the latest group of bodies was discovered Thursday, but it was not clear who was responsible for dumping them around Veracruz or whether the two incidents were related.

Investigators say the remains of some of the first 35 victims were found in trucks Tuesday while others were dumped on a busy roadway, near a shopping center.

State prosecutor Reynaldo Escobar said those victims, both men and women, had connections to organized crime. He did not provide further explanation, but many believe the deaths were drug cartel-related. Attacks involving rival drug cartels have been escalating in the Veracruz area.

More than 30 prisoners escaped from three Veracruz area prisons Monday, but Escobar said the two cases are unrelated.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon began a crackdown on illegal drug activity after taking office in late 2006. An estimated 40,000 people have been killed in the resulting drug wars.