Marines killed six suspected criminals in two shootouts in Xalapa, the capital of the Mexican Gulf state of Veracruz, the Navy Secretariat said.

Five other people were arrested following the shootouts on Tuesday and marines seized three vehicles, seven rifles, a handgun, 900 rounds of ammunition and four grenades, the secretariat said.

Marines and Veracruz state police dismantled a suspected Los Zetas drug cartel cell, the secretariat said.