TIJUANA: At least 17 migrants have been kidnapped near the US border in northern Mexico by human traffickers, Tijuana police said Wednesday.

Two freed kinap victims reported the incident to authorities, saying "another 17 kidnapped people were inside a safe house," Tijuana Police Chief Gustavo Huerta said.

The kidnappings come one week after the bodies of another 72 abducted migrants were found on a ranch in northern Tamaulipas state, in what police said was a mass execution by the Zetas drug gang of 58 men and 14 women who refused to work for them.

BDST: 0959 HRS, September 2, 2010