Kidnap victim released in Mt Hope, $43,000 ransom paid

Peter De Freitas, who was kidnapped on Saturday, was released last night at Mt Hope Avenue, Mt Hope, after his relatives paid a ransom of $43,000. De Freitas, 21, the owner of Slick Insecticide, appeared shaken up after his release and told Anti-Kidnapping Officers (AKS) that he was not beaten or ill-treated during his abduction. He expressed happiness about being reunited with his family. De Freitas was treated by a doctor and is now resting at his Valsayn Avenue, Valsayn home. Relatives said they preferred to offer no comment about the matter at this time. The young businessman and his friend Emile Ali, 25, were kidnapped Saturday outside the Woodbrook branch of Republic Bank. Both men were bundled into a car by four armed men and the victims were later blindfolded. Ali was dropped off at the Caroni cremation site, while De Freitas was taken away by the kidnappers. The kidnappers had demanded $3 million for De Freitas’ safe return but later lowered their demands to $43,000. The money was paid yesterday at an undisclosed location. Senior AKS officers expressed concern that they were being excluded in the negotiations with kidnappers and added that the criminals are continuing to make profits out of kidnappings because relatives of victims refuse to cooperate with the police.