Mexican Authorities Rescue 44 People Kidnapped Inside Drug Rehab Center

A total of 44 people, including seven minors, were rescued by federal and state authorities at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Mexico state, which surrounds the Federal District and forms part of the Mexico City metropolitan area, state prosecutors said.

Five people were arrested on kidnapping charges, the Mexico state Attorney General’s Office said.

A tip from the public led authorities to a building in the Plutarco Elias Calles district of the city of Ixtapaluca, where several people were asking for help.

Prosecutors asked a judge to issue a search warrant and served it with the assistance of state authorities and marines, the AG’s office said.

Everardo Garcia Soria, 41; Jose Jaime Aguirre, 31; Jahir Antonio Gutierrez Torrijos, 24; Erick Ruiz Constantino, 34; and Jose Gerardo Maldonado Martinez, 31, were arrested, the AG’s office said.

The people being held at the drug and alcohol rehabilitation center gave statements to investigators, the AG’s office said.

The adults were taken to a state-operated rehabilitation center in Valle de Chalco, while the seven minors were transferred to the Comprehensive Family Development System, or DIF.

The five suspects will remain in custody while prosecutors determine their legal status, the AG’s office said.

Federal and state security forces launched an operation in April to fight crime in Mexico state, which was plagued by a spike in violence at the beginning of this year.

Published in Latino Daily News