Alleged kidnapping in Doña Ana County connected to cartel, authorities say

DOÑA ANA COUNTY – An alleged kidnapping Sunday in Doña Ana County unearthed a larger transnational cartel situation, according to the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Kim Stewart was able to provide some details on the alleged kidnapping but said she couldn't speak to the larger cartel investigation.

Stewart said a 33-year-old woman was targeted and forcibly removed from a residence on Union Avenue early Sunday morning. DASO deputies responded to the alleged kidnapping about 4:15 a.m. There, deputies learned the woman may have been taken to property on Savannah Road in La Mesa.

Stewart said deputies responded to the address but were unable to enter the household without a warrant. 

About 9 a.m. El Paso Police informed DASO that they had the alleged kidnapping victim. Stewart said it is unclear whether the woman was taken to a residence in El Paso, escaped in Doña Ana County or was allowed to escape.

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In speaking to the woman, Stewart said it became clear that the alleged kidnapping was part of a larger situation involving cartels.

Around noon Sunday, local FBI and Homeland Security Investigations began assisting DASO with identifying people involved. Border Patrol was also a partnering agency.

By dusk, authorities had a warrant to enter the large Savannah property, which includes outbuildings and trailers. Several people were arrested on charges unrelated to the alleged kidnapping, according to Stewart.

A man and woman were later identified as the woman's alleged kidnappers and taken into custody, Stewart said. She did not release their names.

Enrique Lucero, 49, and Guadalupe Caro, 48, both of San Miguel, were booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center Monday morning on felony charges of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a first-degree felony. They are currently being held without bond.

Stewart mentioned others involved with the alleged kidnapping have not been identified or located.

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“As the day wore on, the information being gathered on this entire group, it was clear that there were nexus to much bigger cases. I can't comment on them, those are HSI cases. But they were instrumental really in helping us piece together some of why this occurred, what was going on and what was sort of the big picture,” Stewart said.

The callout came to an end around midnight. Stewart said the operation involving multiple agencies was one of the largest she had experienced. 

Further information from HSI was not available before publication of this article.

Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, lromero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on Twitter.