Mexico to investigate fake police insignia for sale on web

MEXICO CITY – Mexican authorities are threatening criminal charges against people who sell fake insignia for the newly formed National Guard.

The federal Public Safety Department said Friday it will file falsification charges after local newspapers published stories about internet offers to sell armbands and badges with the National Guard logo.

The force is so new that soldiers and other personnel assigned to the Guard often wear regular military fatigues altered only with a “GN” armband. GN stands for Guardia Nacional.

It’s not the only uniform dispute facing Mexico following the reorganization of security forces.

Mexico has beefed up its immigration agency with new agents, some drawn from overweight federal police officers.

Local newspapers reported that when the immigration agency passed out uniforms, it gave even skinny officers voluminous extra-large pants.