Still no word on kidnapped teen

WITH five days gone since he was snatched, there is still no word on the status of the country’s latest kidnap victim, teenager Joel Ragoo,  son of Central businessman Suruj Ragoo. And while Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) police continue their investigations, Ragoo’s worried relatives are keeping a prayerful vigil at home, hoping for his safe return to them. Ragoo was snatched from his mother’s Chase Village, Chaguanas home by armed men last Wednesday and a $5 million ransom demanded for his safe release.

Contacted yesterday for comment, Ragoo’s relatives refused to give any information on whether there had been any new developments regarding negotiations with the kidnappers. Relatives who were very brief when Newsday contacted them yesterday would only say the entire family was praying the kidnappers would soon release him. Newsday was told by police that Ragoo’s relatives were also praying that the yet-to-be identified dismembered, decomposing body found over the weekend is not that of their kidnapped relative. The burnt lower section of a human body was found floating in the Guayamare River in the Caroni district on Saturday and is believed by police to be that of a male.

Contacted yesterday for comment on the kidnapping, acting ASP Adam Joseph of the Anti- Kidnapping Squad said there was still no new lead as to the victim’s whereabouts. Ag ASP Joseph said they were not sure as to the identity of the body which was found floating in the river and will have to await the results of an autopsy to be carried out today at Forensic Sciences Centre in St James, to ascertain cause of death. Investigations into Ragoo’s kidnapping as well as the discovery of the body, are continuing by Anti-Kidnapping Squad and Homicide Bureau officers.