Police find and set free kidnapped man in Marbella

NATIONAL police announced on Tuesday (September 1) that they had found and freed a 27-year-old man who had been taken hostage in Marbella for six days.

The investigation began after the man’s family, residents of Mijas, reported that he had been kidnapped and they were being asked to hand over €35,000 in exchange for his freedom. They said kidnappers had asked them to deposit the money in an unspecified place in Puerto Banus (Marbella), with the threat that he would be killed if they did not comply with their demands.

After a complicated investigation, authorities were able to find the site where the man was being held captive, a cottage in Benahavis (Marbella).

Seven people were arrested on the spot as they were found watching over the victim, and two other people, a couple, were arrested afterwards in connection with the case, one of them alleged to be the leader of a drug-trafficking criminal gang. Another arrest was carried out the day after.

The victim had sustained several facial injuries and reported he had been repeatedly threatened with death during the kidnapping.

In a home search, police found and seized seven kilogrammes of marihuana and 250 counterfeit €50 bills.

In total, 10 people have been arrested, who have been charged with crimes of kidnapping, drug trafficking and membership of a criminal gang.