11:37pm UK, Friday March 21, 2003

CIA sources have revealed that several Iraqis are being hunted in Mexico.

The six suspects are thought to have chemical and biological weapons with them.

According to reports, the men have tried to persuade smugglers, who profit from helping people cross the Mexican border into the US, to get them into America.

Officials say they were given a tip off and are treating the reports seriously.

Mexico is a popular crossing point into the US for smugglers and illegal immigrants.

Forty Iraqi illegal immigrants have been arrested in the past few days across the US.

And authorities intend to interview around 11,000 Iraqis found in America.