Malaga Court Jails Criminal Gang for Torture and Ransom Plot
A criminal gang, who subjected their victim to a five-day torture ordeal as part of a €1.5million ransom plot, has been sentenced to prison in Malaga. The victim, a Belgian man, was subjected to physical abuse and sleep deprivation throughout the horrifying experience. The gang went to the extent of covering him in ice and placing an electric fan in front of him to induce hypothermia, all while demanding a €1.5million ransom from his family.
Belgian National Abducted at Gunpoint
The incident took place in September when five hooded men ambushed the Belgian national at gunpoint as he was about to enter his car in San Pedro de Alcantara, a town on the Costa del Sol. The victim was then transported to a secluded house in Coin, located 30km inland, where he was held captive for five days until his rescue by the police.
Four of Twelve Arrested Imprisoned
The Examining Court Number One in Marbella has ordered the incarceration of four out of the twelve individuals arrested in connection with the crime. The investigators believe that the kidnapping was a retaliation for the theft of a €1.5-million drug consignment, stolen from one of the gang members. The gang demanded the same amount from the victim’s family, who instead sought assistance from the police.
Arrest of Twelve Perpetrators
On September 15, the police apprehended twelve individuals involved in the crime, including four French nationals and eight Spanish citizens aged between 19 and 51 years. The operation, involving 70 police officers, successfully captured the group’s ringleader. The arrested individuals were part of a large criminal network specializing in international drug trafficking between Malaga and Ceuta, a Spanish city enclave in North Africa.
Seizure of Assets and Criminal Records
The major drug smuggling organization includes members with multiple records of violent crimes, drug trafficking, illegal possession of weapons, and homicide. During the operation, which included raids in the Malaga towns of Marbella, Coin, and Benalmadena, the police seized six luxury watches, three vehicles, and €6,400 in cash.
