Mexico said Tuesday it arrested 12 people for allegedly extorting money from avocado producers and sellers days after the United States suspended imports of the fruit over ties to cartel violence.

The arrests took place in the central state of Michoacan, a heart of Mexican avocado production where criminal groups have fought turf wars for years.

Washington suspended imports last week for two days before resuming them on Friday after Mexico committed to reinforcing security for inspectors of the US-bound fruit.

The government has deployed 8,000 soldiers in Michoacan as well as 1,500 operatives specifically dedicated to providing security for the avocado sector, according to Secretary of Defense Ricardo Trevilla. 

One of the suspects who was arrested is tied to the Knights Templar cartel, according to Mexican Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch. The gang continues to fight the Jalisco New Generation Cartel for control of Michoacan. 

The suspects are accused of "extorting producers, sellers, transporters, and packers of the avocado, cattle, and meat sectors," Harfuch added.

Trevilla said the military deployment will entail outposts in 17 avocado-packing companies and increased security for avocado inspectors.

© Agence France-Presse