A federal judge in San Diego ruled Thursday that documents in the case against the leader of Tijuana's Arellano Felix Drug Cartel will be made public. Arellano Felix pleaded guilty earlier this week. Meanwhile, media outlets argued the public should have access to court papers that lay out more evidence in the case.
The judge has allowed attorneys to redact sections to protect witnesses and prevent possible drug cartel retaliation in Tijuana and San Diego. The documents will be published Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, in Tijuana, federal authorities have captured seven kidnappers they say belong to the Arellano Felix Drug Cartel. Mexican authorities say the group, among other things, is responsible for a spectacular attempt last year to rub out Baja California's Director of Security. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.
150 federal police arrived in Tijuana last week to crackdown on the kidnappings that have once again become a common occurrence.
Federal authorities say the seven men they caught operate under the direction of an Arellano Felix cartel lieutenant whose nickname is El Teo.
Authorities arrested El Teo last year. They say he was in charge of settling scores for the cartel.
The border news agency reports despite El Teo's arrest, his underlings were still active in Tijuana.
The agency says the group was behind last April's siege at Tijuana's General Hospital.
Tijuana's business sector recently renewed its pressure on government officials to crackdown on kidnappings.
Baja California's governor says law enforcement has launched an all out attack to stop the problem.
However, two more kidnappings were reported early Thursday.
Amy Isackson, KPBS News.
