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Tijuana Doctors Get FBI Training to Avoid Kidnappings

Dozens of doctors from Tijuana are crossing the border to San Diego Friday to take an FBI course on how to avoid being kidnapped. About 20 doctors in Tijuana have been kidnapped recently and dozens mo

Dozens of doctors from Tijuana are crossing the border to San Diego Friday to take an FBI course on how to avoid being kidnapped. About 20 doctors in Tijuana have been kidnapped recently and dozens more extorted for money. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has more.

Many doctors in Tijuana have become increasingly desperate during the last month since kidnappers plucked a prominent surgeon off the highway as he drove to work in April.

Two days later, the surgeon's captors cut him loose. It's not clear why. Nevertheless, many doctors' fright and outrage remain.

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Luis Humberto Lopez is the Baja California Attorney General's international liaison. His office organized the anti-kidnapping course with the FBI. he says 95 percent of people in Tijuana don't trust law enforcement there.

Lopez : If we can begin training doctors and other members of society of Tijuana though the FBI, that we will be able to regain their trust.

Meanwhile, some doctors say no training can stop a kidnapping. Doctors say if kidnappers want you, they'll get you.

Kidnappings have plagued Baja California recently as drug cartels have increasingly turned to ransom to make money.

Amy Isackson, KPBS News.