Six members of kidnapping ring with alleged ties to the Gulf Cartel are behind bars after a raid at an stash house where two men barricaded themselves inside an attic.
It all happened at a home at 2028 Ebony Street in McAllen around 5 a.m. Thursday.
Investigators told Action 4 News that it all started with a kidnapping reported to police in the neighboring City of Pharr.
Officers from several law enforcement agencies raided the home and freed two illegal immigrants who were being held for ransom.
Authorities arrested four men and two women. Two of the suspects barricaded themselves in the attic and had be forced out with gas.
The kidnappers told investigators that they had been hired by the Gulf Cartel to kidnap immigrants and hold them for ransom.
San Juan police told Action 4 News that a pregnant woman who had been kidnapped gave birth during the ordeal. Her baby is reported in good health.
The kidnappers allegedly demanded $4,000 dollars from the victims’ families. Police recovered about $3,400 dollars at the scene.
The suspects’ names are not being released at this time but San Juan police said they will be charged with first-degree felony aggravated kidnapping.
Investigators believe there may be more kidnapping victims at other locations.
Anyone with information regarding this kidnapping case is encouraged to call the San Juan Crime Stoppers Hotline at (956) 283-8477 or log on to www.sanjuancrimestoppers.com.
All information is kept confidential and can lead to a cash reward up to $1,000.00 dollars.
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