( CNN ) -- Two American tourists and their guide were kidnapped Friday in the Sinai region of Egypt , authorities said . Bedouin kidnappers want authorities to release a relative who is in detention in Alexandria on drug charges , said Gen. Ahmed Bakr , head of security in the North Sinai . Kidnappings and armed robberies have increased since a popular uprising ousted Egypt 's long-ruling dictator , Hosni Mubarak , last year . In February , two American tourists were kidnapped and soon released in the Sinai region . The same thing happened in June , when two American tourists were released about a day after being abducted . In the most recent incident , Bedouins stopped a tour bus en route to Taba and kidnapped the two tourists -- a man and a woman -- and their guide , Bakr said . Authorities were trying to negotiate with the kidnappers , he said .
Guide is among two people taken hostage from a tour bus in the Sinai region . Security official says Sinai kidnappers want release of a relative held on drug charges . Sinai , robberies are up since longtime dictator Bakr was ousted February .