Police in central Colombia have rescued a businessman held by “organized crime group” for 55 days, local media reported Monday.
The victim was kidnapped on November 4 in Topaipi, Cundinamarca department, 80km north of Bogota, having been lured there by a call requesting a business meeting, according to local media. He was then drugged with a substance suspected to be scopolamine and kidnapped at gunpoint, says a police statement.
Nestor Alberto Vargas Rios, a businessman of 55 years, was rescued by anti-kidnapping police in a rural area of the municipality of La Victoria, Boyaca on Friday. The kidnappers had demanded $850,000 for his release.
The businessman owns several beauty salons and a health center. Police describe the kidnappers as an “organized crime group,” while local media describe them as “common criminals.”
Two kidnappers were captured during the police operations and a gun was also found.
Police say kidnappings in Colombia have fallen 17% in Colombia between 2011 and 2012.