ICYMI: Three Minnesotans Charged in Kidnapping Linked to Dangerous Drug Cartel

Three arrests and unsettling connections to a violent drug cartel are the results of a bold SWAT operation in Minnesota.#Minnesota #News #St. Paul, Minnesota #Crime

St. Paul, Minnesota Police were involved in a dramatic confrontation and arrests in an abduction case connected to a Mexican drug gang after receiving an informant tip. Authorities moved quickly to stop the situation, which they felt could have been fatal, from happening on the city’s East Side.

Three Suspects Charged

Three people are charged in connection with the abduction:

According to Ramsey County court documents, the arrests took place on Tuesday.

Police Action and Arrest Details

In December, authorities learned that Mujica was involved in cocaine trafficking. Police took action after tracking his phone in the Payne Avenue area between Monday and Tuesday evening. When Mujica failed to appear in court for a DWI arrest in August, a warrant had already been issued for him.

Following a tip from an informant, police and St. Paul SWAT arrived at the 700 block of Payne Avenue on Tuesday afternoon. Working for a Mexican drug trafficking group, the informant advised that a victim was being kept and could be tortured or killed because of cartel debts.

According to court documents, the contact in Mexico instructed the cooperating defendant to visit Richar Sanchez Mujica, provide weights and chains, and assist with its upkeep.

Around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Mujica was pulled over during a traffic stop and told police that he was working for a Mexican cartel and owed them money. When he was arrested, Mujica told police that a victim was being detained at a neighboring property, which was also his GPS destination.

See also  South Carolina Mayor Killed While Being ‘Pursued’ by Deputy – Days After Police Force Resigned

After a two-hour standoff, Holdahl and Johnson left the house on Payne Avenue and were arrested.

Victim s Account of the Assault

The criminal complaint claims that the victim, who is currently facing a narcotics case in Hennepin County, was informed by a friend that he may get legal assistance. The victim arrived between 6 and 8 p.m. on Monday after being directed to the Payne Avenue location.

Johnson welcomed him inside and escorted him down a corridor where a man brandished a shotgun or rifle. As the victim was repeatedly beaten, a third man joined in, striking him from behind with a hefty item.

The victim claimed that after blacking out during the assault, he awoke chained to a chair and covered his face with an orange blanket.

Suspects Statements and Investigation Findings

Mujica acknowledged being at the premises but denied having anything to do with the kidnapping. Although Johnson admitted to residing there and knowing the victim was there, he maintained that a gang of guys wearing masks was to blame. Police did, however, examine the property’s video footage, which revealed no signs of disguised people.

Holdahl informed officers he owed money to someone in Mexico, and he acknowledged that he was the owner of the deed to the property on Payne Avenue. He said that in order to get his money problems resolved, he was being forced into illegal activity.

Court Appearances Scheduled

On Friday morning, all three suspects showed up for court. Holdahl’s next court date is January 31, Johnson’s next court date is February 4, and Mujica has a follow-up hearing on Wednesday.

See also  Thrifty Christmas Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List: How to Give More While Spending Less!

CONNECTED TOPICS: Minnesota, Mexico, and Crime

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *