That shit is completely insane. I remember reading (maybe you posted the link) about the Zetas recruiting banners that hang on highway over passes just like legit companies because no one dares take them down or something.
Narco banners are put up all the time. Sometimes just banners but they usually have corpses with in tow, too, depending on the location and place.
If it's a banner directed at another cartel = usually bodies (either shot, stabbed, dismembered, hanged, etc) go along with it.
If it's a banner directed at the citizens of the area it was placed in or the government = usually just the banner.