Dozens rescued after being kidnapped in northern Mexico

[News_Editor]

Dozens rescued after being kidnapped in northern Mexico

2010-12-29 07:05:22 GMT+7 (ICT)

SONORA, MEXICO (BNO NEWS) -- Mexican authorities on Tuesday announced that they rescued fifty workers who were kidnapped in Sonora state, northern Mexico after being hired to work in plantations.

On Monday, federal police forces executed an operative in a residence located in Las Lomas neighborhood in the Caborca municipality. The operation stemmed from intelligence efforts and, as officers approached the target, some individuals hid inside the residence.

Federal police agents located several people inside the house who had varied injuries. The individuals claimed to be victims of kidnapping and added that five individuals perpetrated the crime. Three suspected criminals were located at the scene and were secured.

Armando Lopez Montiel, 24, Irvin Lopez Montiel, 22, and Luis Felipe Morales Pardo, 32, were taken into custody as the victims identified them as their kidnappers. In addition, law agents found a white truck without license plates near the area.

After the truck driver noticed the police forces, he tried to flee but was immediately intercepted and secured. The driver was identified as Juan Antonio Gonzalez Ochoa, 27. The missing fifth member of the criminal group fled shortly before the arrival of officers.

An extensive search was conducted in the area until an 18-year-old man, Jose Cuevas Gonzaelez, was located in the Caborca health center. Inside the residence, authorities seized two vehicles that were reported as stolen.

The fifty workers came from the central state of Puebla. Fifteen of them were underage minors and all of them were given medical treatment. The workers said they were transported under false claims as they were allegedly hired to work in plantations.

The five alleged kidnappers were handed to the state authorities in order to be charged with kidnapping and car theft.

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