Alleged kidnapping ring busted in Juárez

by Daniel Borunda \ El Paso Times
Posted: 06/14/2011 06:48:35 AM MDT

Juárez authorities have broken up a kidnapping gang believed to be responsible for 13 abductions in one of several recent strikes against kidnappers, officials said.

The ring allegedly led by Javier Perez Reyes, alias "El Drako," mainly targeted women then held them for ransom, Chihuahua state prosecutors said.

Perez, 23, and five alleged members of his ring were arrested Thursday when the state anti-kidnapping unit rescued a young woman, officials said. The woman was found tied up in the bedroom of a "safe house" where she had been kept for three days. She was unharmed.

According to an account by prosecutors, on June 6 the woman was driving home with a female friend from school when a van blocked their path. Three men with handguns rushed out of the van, shot and wounded the friend and abducted the victim.

Via telephone, kidnappers demanded two million pesos (about $167,000) from the woman's family. The ransom was lowered and paid by the family. Kidnappers then demanded more cash and refused to free the woman.

After the family contacted authorities, a rescue operation located and freed the victim by tracing telephone calls.

In related news, over the weekend a court handed down 25-year prison sentences to three men and one woman convicted of belonging to a kidnapping ring named Los Rojas, officials said Monday.

Those sentenced were Rogelio Morales Barrientos, Javier Ribota Talavera, Ismael Elerista Valdez and Sonia Araceli Nuñez Borja.

Prosecutors said the ring kidnapped two female students, ages 14 and 20, rescued from a safe house on June 10, 2010.
Last week, Jaime Guadalupe Chavira, the convicted leader of a kidnapping ring, and two accomplices were sentenced to more than 42 years in prison. Three other ring members received 21-year sentences.

Since October, 27 gangs and 116 kidnappers have been arrested in Chihuahua, officials said.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com; 546-6102.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_18266916