Story highlights Suspects were part of gang who robbed motorists in Sinaloa, authorities say

Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman, both 33, were on a surf trip from Canada

Remains were found in a van registered to Coleman in Canada

(CNN) Authorities in Mexico have arrested three men suspected of killing two Australian surfers whose burned remains are believed to have been found in a van registered to one of the men.

The three suspects were low-level drug dealers who had been robbing motorists on a stretch of road leading south through Navolato, Sinaloa, according to Attorney General Antonio Higuera. Two other suspects are still at large.

Two Australian surfers missing in Mexico: Adam Coleman and Dean Lucas (pictured with girlfriend Josie Cox).

Two bodies were found in a van the same day, on a back road in remote farmlands in Sinaloa -- home of the Sinaloa drug cartel.

None of the five suspects were part of a major drug cartel, Higuera said. It's alleged the men tried to rob the surfers as they drove through Sinaloa to Guadalajara.

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