Mexican drug cartel says sorry for deadly kidnapping of Americans and surrenders members

Tamaulipas, Mexico - Five people have been arrested in Mexico for the kidnapping of four Americans, two of whom were killed amid the violent abduction.

Five people have been arrested in Mexico for the kidnapping of four Americans, two of whom were killed amid the violent abduction.
Five people have been arrested in Mexico for the kidnapping of four Americans, two of whom were killed amid the violent abduction.  © via REUTERS

The group of suspects was taken into custody Friday, Tamaulipas Attorney General Irving Barrios Mojica wrote on Twitter shortly before 11:30 AM.

A sixth person arrested earlier this week was also being held in connection with the daytime abduction of Latavia "Tay" McGee, Shaeed Woodard, Zindell Brown, and Eric James Williams.

The quartet traveled from South Carolina to the border city of Matamoros for a tummy tuck procedure, booked by McGee for March 3. Woodward and Brown were killed when gunmen opened fire on their vehicle. Williams was wounded while McGee remained unharmed.

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The four friends were then ushered into the back of a truck and whisked away by the gunman. It took authorities several days to locate the group, all of whom, including the bodies of those killed, have returned to the US.

Mexican drug cartel blames kidnapping on rogue members

The bodies of those killed in the kidnapping were repatriated to the US on March 9.
The bodies of those killed in the kidnapping were repatriated to the US on March 9.  © REUTERS

The arrest announcement comes a day after the Scorpions faction of the Gulf Cartel – the group believed to be responsible for the kidnappings – sent a letter to law enforcement condemning the violence, which they say was carried out by rogue members.

"We have decided to turn over those who were directly involved and responsible in the events, who at all times acted under their own decision-making and lack of discipline," the letter said.

The note also reportedly came with an image of five men face down on the pavement with their hands tied. According to the Associated Press, they were found tied up inside a vehicle authorities had previously linked to the deadly crime.

Attorney General Mojica did not say whether the men arrested Friday are the same ones turned in by the cartel.

Cover photo: via REUTERS

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