Mexican man blames DEA for cartel attacks

NUEVO LAREDO, Mexico, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Businessman Alan Gamboa claims his property in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, has been attacked by drug traffickers because U.S. drug enforcement agents are using it.

Gamboa alleges his Nuevo Laredo rental property was raided by drug cartel members and his brother, Ricardo, was kidnapped because Drug Enforcement Administration officials have been using the property to conduct an anti-drug trafficking intelligence operation, the San Antonio Express-News reported Sunday.

The Mexican businessman said since he began renting the property to individuals he thought were U.S. Consulate workers, he has been targeted by cartel members.

"They (the DEA) put us into a very deep problem, very deep. They (the cartel) think I'm an informant, but I want them to understand that I don't do that," he said. "If I knew that house was for an intelligence organization, I would never have rented it out."

The father-of-three said in addition to the kidnapping of his brother, who is still missing, his nearby shop was set afire by unknown individuals.

The Express-News said Gamboa's family has written to U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, regarding the situation and is also considering filing a lawsuit.