Two Arrested in Concordia Miners Kidnapping Case

Revista Espejo reports that federal forces and Sinaloa's Special Operations Group arrested two men in Concordia on September 8 in connection with the January kidnapping of workers employed by Vizsla Silver. Authorities identified the suspects as Ángel Gabriel “N,” also known as “Tronco,” and Milton Yair “N,” and alleged that they belonged to a Los Chapitos cell led by Óscar Luciano Martínez Larios, known as “El Casco.”

The arrests followed military intelligence work and patrols in the area, according to the report. Officers said they seized two rifles, a 40-millimeter grenade-launcher attachment, magazines, ammunition, suspected drugs and tactical equipment.

Authorities allege that the two men participated in the January 23 abduction of 10 engineers and technical workers in Pánuco, Concordia. The report says an armed group intercepted the workers at a camp and later at a bus stop along the Villa Unión-Durango highway.

Vizsla Silver and the federal Attorney General's Office later confirmed that nine of the kidnapped workers were found dead in clandestine graves, while one remained missing, Revista Espejo reports. A February operation had already produced four arrests and the recovery of identification cards, phones and computers belonging to the victims.

Relatives of the workers have called for progress in the investigation and comprehensive reparations. The two newly arrested suspects and the seized items were transferred to federal prosecutors in Culiacán, who will determine their legal status; the allegations have not been adjudicated.