Baja kidnap suspects tied to drug gang

TIJUANA, Mexico, May 27 (UPI) -- Mexican authorities say the suspects in a Tijuana kidnapping include two U.S.-born siblings and allegedly have ties to a dangerous drug-trafficking ring.

Teddy Toledo Garay, 20, and his 17-year-old sister were among the four people arrested Tuesday in a raid to release a hardware store clerk who was being held for $1 million ransom.

The San Diego Union-Tribune said Wednesday Toledo and his sister, whose name was not published because she is a juvenile, were born in Southern California and accused of being linked to the drug gang run by Teodoro Eduardo Garcia Simental.

The sister Tuesday told reporters at the army base where they are being held they were not involved in the alleged abduction.

The newspaper said border drug runners have increasingly turned to kidnapping as another means of making money.

The victim said his abductors apparently mistakenly thought he was the store owner's son.