Mica for cartelinsider.com
A cell of the Sinaloa Cartel is suspected to be behind the kidnapping and release of four members of the LeBarón community, according to investigations by the General Prosecutor’s Office of the state of Chihuahua.
In a strategic operation, state and federal security forces managed to liberate four members of the LeBaron community, who had been kidnapped by a criminal group from the Pacific Cartel in Largo Maderal on Monday, January 22nd.
The attorney general of Chihuahua, César Jáuregui Moreno, stated in a press conference that the investigations have not concluded and the goal is to capture those responsible for the kidnapping of Christian Bruce LeBarón Jhonson, brother of Julián LeBarón; Shem Lamar Stubbs Gwin, Miguel Ángel Moreno Sánchez, and Manuel Horacio Ríos Jacob.
The victims, two of them from Buenaventura and the other two from Casas Grandes, were part of a group of motorcyclists and were intercepted by the criminal group that operates in the area after experiencing a mechanical failure. The kidnappers took them to some cabins, where they were investigated and then two of them were released.
“They were investigated by this group about the reasons for their detention, etcetera. After a dialogue, two out of the four who had been deprived of their freedom were released,” Jáuregui Moreno explained in a press conference.
The actions of the authorities allowed for the rescue of the four citizens, according to the prosecutor. The collaboration between the State Investigation Agency, the State Secretariat of Public Security, the Mexican Army, and the National Guard was key in persuading the kidnappers to release the victims without compromising their integrity.
The first two released individuals provided vital information that led to the location of the other two kidnapped members. “With the gathered data and the operations in progress…disuasion was achieved…so that [the criminals] understood it was better to surrender the two victims safe and sound,” stated Jáuregui Moreno.
The reaction of the authorities included the recovery of a pickup truck and one of the motorcycles. Additionally, “Yesterday, during a tour through paths, two more motorcycles were located,” was part of the measures to track and secure the belongings of the victims. The Attorney General emphasized that the operations were carried out under the “best possible terms.”
The continuous presence of security corporations has prevented additional confrontations and continues to be a deterrent for criminal groups in the area, stated Jáuregui Moreno. Security remains a priority and the Prosecutor mentioned that surveillance will be maintained to prevent further tragedies.
The Attorney General not only recognized the joint work, but also firmly stated, “I am absolutely sure that the actions of our agents allowed for partial success in this matter because we avoided a tragedy.”
The LeBarón community has received the actions of the authorities with relief, but maintains the expectation of complete justice with the capture of those responsible.
“If at any point the rescue operation was put at risk, it was precisely due to the protests from the LeBarón community. I can understand the desperation that exists among the people and I can even understand their distrust of the authority’s actions, but at the Prosecutor’s Office, we will never give false hope to a group when we do not have sufficient evidence to assure that we can secure the release of X or Y person,” stated the prosecutor.
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Mica
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