Man released in Barcelona after ten days held captive over disappearance of 500 kilos of cocaine
The National Police rescued the victim whilst being transported to a mountainous area. The detainee attempted to ram police officers and brandish a concealed weapon.
Rescue in Caldes de Montbui following ten days of captivity and violence
The National Police released a man in the province of Barcelona who had been held captive for ten days as a result of an internal dispute over the loss of a shipment of more than 500 kilos of cocaine, according to ABC. The victim showed clear signs of violence having been repeatedly beaten during his captivity.
The rescue took place when the alleged kidnapper was transporting the man in a vehicle towards a remote mountainous area, where he apparently intended to take reprisals against him.
The "overturn" that triggered the kidnapping
The investigation originated in the disappearance of a shipment of more than 500 kilos of cocaine that was to be transported from Portugal through Spanish territory. The head of the organisation had entrusted the transport to an intermediary driver, who in turn contacted a third party to carry out the transportation.
During the journey, the latter allegedly feigned suffering an "overturn"—a term used in the drug-trafficking world to refer to the theft of drugs between traffickers—reported the alleged theft and fled into hiding out of fear of reprisals. The disappearance of the cargo created a climate of distrust within the organisation, and the main organiser directly blamed the intermediary driver for what had occurred.
Ten days of assault and threats
At the end of July, the head of the organisation allegedly violently kidnapped the intermediary driver and held him captive for ten days. Throughout his captivity, the victim suffered continuous physical assault and threats with the aim of forcing him to reveal the whereabouts of the missing transporter and the final destination of the drugs.
Officers set up a surveillance operation around the suspects and located an industrial warehouse in Sabadell where they suspected the kidnapped man could be held.
Detention following attempted ramming and concealed weapon
Under police pressure, the suspect abandoned the warehouse taking the victim with him. According to the police, he used as a pretext that he intended to release him in an isolated area to justify the movement.
Officers identified and located the vehicle in the vicinity of Caldes de Montbui. The driver ignored police instructions and attempted to ram officers on several occasions. Once intercepted, the alleged kidnapper attempted to brandish a firearm he was carrying concealed in a waist pouch. Officers neutralised, disarmed and immobilised him.
The detainee was remanded to the judicial authorities as the alleged perpetrator of the crimes of kidnapping and unlawful possession of weapons. The victim, after ten days in detention, was released at the scene.
Source: ABC