Villagers Kidnap Mother of Local Drug Gang Chief and Demand Hostage Swap Tom Porter - IBTimes UK
go to original December 14, 2016

The vigilantes demanded the release of locals kidnapped by a local drugs gang (Screengrab)

Update: Mexico Villagers Free Gang Boss's Mother in 'Kidnap Deal' (BBC)

Vigilantes in a Mexican village have kidnapped the mother of a local drugs gang chief, who they say they will free in exchange for the release of locals.

After seizing alleged collaborators of the gang including the mother of its boss, Raybel Jacobo de Almonte, also known as El Tequileiro, the villagers released a video message.
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"In return for my husband's life, I will deliver your mother," says a kidnap victim's wife in one video, which has been broadcast on local TV.

"We have your mother here, mister, known as El Tequilero," said Yadira Guillermo Garcia, whose husband, an engineer, was seized by the gang, addressing the gang leader.

"I request an exchange... I want him safe and sound."

Around 220 police and soldiers have been deployed to the village of Totolapan in Guerrero in the hope of defusing the situation.

Police said that the villagers had released five of those kidnapped, but El Tequileiro's mother was among those still held.

The area has been the site of a turf war by cartels, with El Tequileiros henchmen kidnapping dozens of locals for extortion or because they claim they are working with rival gangs.

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