$5M ransom demanded for abducted teen

A $5 million ransom was yesterday demanded by kidnappers for the safe return of 17-year-old Joel Ragoo, who was snatched from the Chase Village home of his mother Indra on Tuesday night. Kidnappers telephoned Suruj Ragoo, Joel’s father, on Wednesday and demanded the ransom. Worried relatives of the kidnapped teenager said that they had reported threats by unknown persons to kidnap Joel, but nothing was put in place.

Relatives feel that the situation could have been avoided. Yesterday, Joel’s mother Indra Beharry was surrounded by friends, neighbours and relatives as she awaited word on her kidnapped son. Beharry said that she has been constantly praying for the safe return of Joel. Suruj Ragoo, Joel’s father, said yesterday that the kidnapping has left him in a state of shock.

He said that he is unsure of what is happening, but was praying for the safe return of his son. Yesterday, police officers raided several homes in Central Trinidad in a bid to locate the victim. Acting on a tip-off, officers carried out searches for the kidnap victim, but he was not found. Ragoo is the country’s 34th kidnap victim for the year. Officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad are investigating.