Mexican soldiers rescue 8 kidnapping victims

The Associated Press
5:25 p.m. February 4, 2009

TIJUANA, Mexico — The Mexican army says soldiers rescued eight kidnapping victims who were being held at a ranch near the northern border city of Tijuana.

An army statement says the eight were freed after a shootout that left one kidnapper dead.

It says the raid on the ranch between Tijuana and the border city of Tecate came after an escaped captive told authorities that more people were being held on the property.

The statement didn't say if anyone was arrested in Wednesday's raid, which involved at least seven armed cars.

The region near the California border has been plagued by drug-related violence and kidnappings. Officials say drug cartels have been locked in increasingly bloody battles for control of trafficking routes.

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