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Surprising as it may seem, Phoenix has become Americas kidnapping capital. Last year 368 abductions were reported, compared with 117 in 2000. Police say the real number is likely much higher, since many go unreported. Though in the past most of the nabbings stemmed from domestic-violence incidents, now the majority are linked to drug-trafficking and human-smuggling operations that pervade the Arizona corridor. Its still unclear to what extent the snatchings are being directly ordered by Mexican cartels, but authorities say theyre undoubtedly a byproduct of the drug-fueled mayhem south of the border. The tactics are moving north, says assistant police chief Andy Anderson. We dont have the violence they have in Mexico yetthe killing of police officers and the beheadingsbut in terms of kidnappings and home invasions, it has come.
