Baja California is known for its surfing, with some spots a driveable distance from the US. Photo: %29.jpg / Mark Harpur
Police in Mexico say they have made another two arrests as they investigate the disappearance of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson.
The Perth men were on a surf trip in the state of Baja California, in Mexico's north-west, when they failed to arrive at their accommodation in the city of Rosarito. They were travelling with an American man, Jack Carter Rhoad, who is also missing.
Police said their burnt-out car had been found on a ranch south of the city of Ensenada, and two men had been arrested.
It followed the arrest of a 23-year-old woman in the nearby town of Maneadero a day earlier.
She was found with a phone belonging to one of the brothers, police said. They said the woman and the men had drugs in their possession when they were detained.
Police said the men they arrested were brothers, and one was in a romantic relationship with the detained woman.
Local journalist Oliver Quintero told ABC Radio Perth the stolen phone had been used to locate the woman.
"That is actually how [the three people] were found," he said.
"The police were able to track the GPS on one of the phones and that's how they got the lady - she was the one who had the phone and was with the other two gentlemen."
It is understood the missing trio had been camping at the popular surfing spot Punta San Jose, near Ensanada.
The missing men were believed to be surfing at Punta San José. Photo: Google Maps
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was hopeful a local search would result in a positive outcome.
"We certainly hope these brothers are found safely but there is real concern about the fact that they've gone missing," he told Channel Seven.
Baja California Attorney-General María Elena Andrade Ramírez said her office was in contact with the Australian and American embassies.
The mother of the men, Debra Robinson, has been using social media to appeal for help finding her sons.
"They have not contacted us since April 27 … they are travelling with another friend; an American citizen," she wrote.
"Callum is a Type 1 diabetic so there is also a medical concern.
"Please contact me if you have seen them or know their whereabouts."
An advisory from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) says travellers in Mexico should exercise a high degree of caution due to the threat of violent crime.
Baja California is among the worst states for violent crime. Fighting between drug cartels has contributed to a spike in the local homicide rate, which is one of the worst in Mexico.
- This story was first pubblished by the [ https://www.abc.net.au/news ABC]