Kidnapping in Cochabamba coordinated from El Abra prison: four arrested
Three inmates from El Abra are suspected of planning the kidnapping of a 58-year-old merchant and demanding $us 150,000 in ransom. The victim was found bound in Sipe Sipe.
El Abra inmates coordinated kidnapping and demanded $us 150,000 ransom
Three inmates from El Abra prison in Cochabamba are suspected of having planned and coordinated the kidnapping of a 58-year-old merchant from the Colcapirhua area, according to police. The case involves four arrested individuals and a fifth suspect who managed to escape, reported El Deber.
The departmental commander of the Cochabamba Police, Henry Ontiveros, stated that the three inmates not only organised the abduction but also took charge of demanding a ransom of 150,000 dollars. Following a search of the penitentiary, the inmates were found in possession of mobile phones, telephone chips, bladed weapons and controlled substances.
The victim was intercepted on the morning of Tuesday, 13 October when leaving his home, located near kilometre 7 of Avenida Blanco Galindo. Several individuals forced him into his own vehicle and transported him to an unknown location.
Through intelligence operations and surveillance, police located the merchant in a building under construction in a remote area of Sipe Sipe, where he remained bound and gagged. One of the suspects, who was responsible for guarding the kidnapping victim, was arrested at the scene, whilst another managed to flee. The victim's vehicle was found abandoned near the property.
Operations within the prison allowed police to identify and detain the three inmates linked to the case. A fourth person involved was captured outside the prison during operations outside the penal facility.
According to initial police hypotheses, the kidnapping could be related to an alleged debt linked to gold exploitation, an aspect that remains under investigation. Police continue searching for the fifth suspect who fled.
Source: El Deber