Thaindian News

MCALLEN, TEXAS (BNO NEWS) – A federal jury on Friday has convicted a Gulf Cartel associate for kidnapping a Wescalo, Texas resident and having him transported into Mexico, prosecutors said.

The guilty verdicts, returned yesterday in federal court in McAllen, convicted Luis Alberto Avila-Hernandez (Avila), aka Cua Cua, 28, an illegal alien residing in Weslaco, of conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping.‪

In September 2008, investigators with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) became aware the Gulf Cartel had initiated a violent kidnapping scheme in which known drug dealers would be approached and a demand would be made that they align themselves with the Gulf Cartel to sell their narcotics.

DPS investigators and the FBI initiated an investigation and soon learned that at least four subjects had been kidnapped, threatened, assaulted, drugged and transported into Mexico to meet with Cartel members.

Investigators learned that one victim, a 30-year-old U.S. citizen referred to hereafter as Daniel, had been kidnapped and was suspected of having been murdered. Those investigations ultimately lead to the indictment against Avila and eight others.

Four of the eight have pleaded guilty to kidnapping and are pending sentencing. Four others remain fugitives and arrest warrants remain outstanding. ‪

In October 2008, a search warrant was executed at the Mission residence where agents discovered numerous firearms, including a modified .223 semi-assault weapon and a pistol with numerous magazines, ammunition and paint ball equipment.

Another defendant testified that the paint ball equipment was used to practice simulated kidnapping schemes in order to prepare for the actual kidnapping they intended to commit.‪

Avila faces up to life imprisonment and up to $4 million in fines for each count of conviction.