In a remote jungle in Mexico, a New York man who had been kidnapped was discovered bound and eyes taped shut in a straw hut, according to official sources. The man, identified as 35-year-old Joseph Constantine Buonincontri, was found in the Limones wilderness, a remote area nearly 200 miles southwest of Cancún.
Buonincontri, who owns a home in Mexico, was abducted from his residence in Limones three days prior to his discovery. He informed authorities that his captors were unknown individuals, as reported by Mexico News Daily, which referenced local media outlets Reforma and Sipse.
The search for Buonincontri ended on Tuesday when local residents alerted a group of soldiers about a suspicious taxi from Tulum. The vehicle, filled with armed men, was seen driving through a gap in the jungle adjacent to a highway.
The straw hut where Buonincontri was found, bound and blindfolded, was a mere 325 feet from the location where the suspicious taxi was spotted. By the time the kidnapped man was rescued, his captors had already fled the scene. However, they left behind evidence including traces of marijuana, a tactical vest, and magazines for an AR-15 rifle.
According to reports, the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of $200,000 for Buonincontri’s release. Despite his ordeal, the New York man did not sustain any serious injuries.
The US State Department has yet to comment on the incident, despite attempts by the media to reach out for a statement.