U.S. Marine Kidnapped In Tamaulipas Over Drug Cartel Land Dispute

Armando Torres III, Armando Torres II and Salvador Torres

Family members believe Armando, his father and uncle were kidnapped last month by members of a drug cartel in an attempt to take over their ranch for drug trafficking, since its close to the border.

By H. Nelson Goodson

June 4, 2013

Brownsville, Texas - On Monday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) office in San Antonio confirmed that the bureau is conducting an "international kidnapping invistigation and is vigorously pursuing all investigative leads" to the whereabouts of Armando Torres III. Torres III, 27, a U.S. Marine was kidnapped along with his father Armando Torres II and his uncle, Salvador Torres in May shortly after Torres III crossed into Mexico to visit his family's ranch.

Armando Fernández, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the San Antonio Division stated, "On May 14, 2013, Armando Torres, III drove across the International Port of Entry Bridge at Progresso, Texas, to visit his father's ranch in La Barranca, Tamaulipas, which is located near the International Port of Entry Bridge at Los Indios, Texas. Shortly after he arrived at the ranch, armed gunmen entered the ranch and took all three Torres family members by force. They have not been seen or heard from since this event."

Family members told authorities that Torres III had just arrived at his father's ranch when a white truck with armed men arrived and forcibly kidnapped Torres III, his father and uncle. The gunmen also took stuff from the ranch and other vehicles, which was witnessed by a relative, according to Mexican authorities.

Family members told authorities and the media that they believe, the gunmen took the victims because a local drug cartel wants to take over the ranch due to its close proximity to the border. Drug cartels take over lands near the border to help transport drugs accross the Mexico-U.S. border.

No ransom or demands have been made by the gunmen involved in the kidnappings, according to family members. Mexican authorities have not detained anyone involved in the kidnappings or have confirmed that the three Torres family members who were kidnapped in May have been killed. 

In many cases in Mexico, the kidnapped victims are killed shortly after disappearing and their bodies disposed off in clandestine graves or dissolved in barrels of acid.