05 April 2023 , 16:58
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A man who bragged about stealing $50,000 from a fearsome Mexican cartel has now gone missing.
The FBI confirmed a criminal complaint had been made after Erik Tadeo Ramirez bragged he had taken $50,000 (£40,000) from the Cartel Del Noreste, who are considered one of the most dangerous drug cartels in Mexico.
An affidavit said: "Witnesses stated that Ramirez also bragged that Ramirez stole approximately $50,000 from the Cartel Del Noreste."
One man, Jonathan Cavriales, was arrested on a charge of kidnapping.
On March 23, Ramirez was at a party in the Las Americas area of South Laredo and was heard telling a female on the phone that he felt safe because he was in the US.
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At around 12:45am the next day, a blue Dodge Ram arrived at the location after Ramirez gave the female his location.
Three masked men armed with guns left the vehicle and allegedly assaulted Ramirez before forcing him into the car.
The Dodge then crossed into Nuevo Laredo, Mexico at about 1.09am Ramirez has not been seen since.
Mr Ramirez was last seen in Loredo, Texas, trying to escape from a moving pickup truck, according to reports.
The FBI confirmed a criminal complaint had been made (Getty Images)The truck was crossing the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge. The bridge connected the Mexican state of Tamaulipas with Texas.
Court documents state: “The (security cameras) video recording showed a male with blood on his face open the front passenger door of the blue Dodge Ram four-door pick-up truck in distress while … truck was in motion.
"Officers at the bridge stated the male was attempting to exit the … truck and was pulled back into the blue Dodge Ram four-door pick-up truck by force.”
The car flew past the bridge attendant, leaving behind a blood-stained shirt and pair of trousers on the side of the road.
The FBI confirmed a criminal complaint had been made.
In a statement it said: "The FBI is unable to provide comment on this ongoing investigation.
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"The FBI relentlessly pursues all options when it comes to protecting the American people, and this doesn't change when they are endangered across the border.
"The FBI pursues all cases with the same vigour and commitment to process."
The other suspects remain at large, according to authorities.
The kidnapping comes after a mum-of-7, from the US, was r eported missing in Mexico after being taken by masked men - with the FBI offering a reward for information on her whereabouts.
According to the family of Maria del Carmen Lopez, 63, they received a recording of her pleading they pay a ransom - as her life depends on it.
The mum was taken on February 9 from her house in Pueblo Nuevo, Colima, in Mexico, in the afternoon with a neighbour seeing the kidnap take place, according to one of Ms Lopez’s children.
The FBI is offering a $20,000 (£14,000) reward for information and believe it to be a kidnapping for money rather than drug related.