26 Nov 2012 10:02 AM EST

-by Alex Mangini, Staff Writer; Image: Chihuahua, Mexico (Image Source: BBC)

According to local security officials, a mass grave has been discovered in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua, where 19 bodies have been unearthed as the rampant war between law enforcement and drug cartels continues to grow increasingly troublesome. 

The BBC has reported that 11 of the bodies had been beneath the ground for approximately two years, while the remaining eight had been killed in the past few days.

The discovery was nothing of surprise to the Mexican officials, as the vicious and escalating drug violence has left over 24,000 people missing.

The latest findings come on the outskirts of the Ciudad Juarez metropolitan area, one of the hardest hit regions in the country.

Several of the victims showed signs of torture usually linked to the cartels, though it is unclear which particular gangs are responsible.