THE decapitated bodies of five men were found by a roadside in central Mexico on Sunday.

The bodies were discovered by National Guard troops after plastic bags containing the remains were spotted by passing drivers near the town of Ojuelos in Jalisco state.

The area is reportedly controlled by the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

Forensic experts are now attempting to identify the victims, officials said.

Official figures show that 1,415 people were murdered In Jalisco between January and September this year.

Last week, Alejandro Arcos, the mayor of Chilpancingo in the south western state of Guerrero, was found dead.

He had been mayor for just six days.

His death came just three days after the city’s new secretary, Francisco Tapia, was shot dead.

Politicians at a local level are frequent victims of attacks connected to the multibillion-dollar drugs trade and corruption.

Guerrero is one of the worst affected states for violence and drug cartels.