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On the banks of the Rio Grande, just across the border from Laredo, Texas, is the city of Nuevo,

Laredo, Mexico. The railroad bridge and three international bridges connecting the city to the

United States are only one reason why the city has been host to many turf wars from competing drug cartels.

So, when the Mexican army swept into Nuevo, Laredo in 2009, it was not a complete surprise. It was only after their reason was revealed that the shock set in.

At the command of Mexico's then president, the troops and a group of workers armed with backhose were sent in to destroy religious shrines dedicated to Santa Moreta.

In English, that means saint death. Why? Because they incorrectly believed, as did the Catholic church, that they were worshiping Satan.

30 shrines were destroyed that day in Nuevo, Laredo, and that was just an echo of the destruction in cities and towns all across Mexico that year.

Santa Moreta is popular among Mexican drug cartels because they pray to her for protection.

But the saint's reach has expanded and people from all walks of life leave offerings at her shrine, asking for protection from the violence of the cartels, or for good fortune in love or money.

Santa Moreta is also known as the Boni Lady because she is just that. A skeleton shrouded in a robe, holding a scythe and a glow.

Often in the color representing the prayer that is being asked for, for example, a red candle for love or gold for fortune.

When police centered the house of Wana Baraza, one of Mexico's most prolific serial killers who terrorized elderly women in Mexico City, they encountered a large shrine to Santa Moreta, and Jesus Melverde, a patron saint of criminals.

There were multiple Santa Moreta idols in her shrine, and they were each decorated differently. Some were covered in money. Some in red roses and others with blue stones that represent wisdom.

Each of the icons were also covered in trinkets, tokens that Wana had stolen from her elderly victims.

But the largest and most frequent color in her shrine was the color black, which represents protection from black magic.

But it was her victims that needed the protection, not Wana Baraza.

Hi there, Wondry listeners! Hannah and Sruti here from TrueCram Podcast Red handed. Your favourite podcast red handed.

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