Police are investigating what appears to be the kidnapping of a local fisherman and his Venezuelan friend, allegedly by Venezuelans, on the waters between both countries.
They are seeking assistance from their Venezuelan counterparts in locating Ranja Ali, 60, of Maraval and his Venezuelan colleague to help in an investigation of the incident that occurred on March 29.
Police reports indicate that Ali and the unnamed Venezuelan friend left the Crews Inn Fishing Depot in a boat named “Chantel” to fish.
Investigators were told Ali and his friend were asked by a Venezuelan woman living in Trinidad to collect something from a relative who would have been fishing in Venezuelan waters.
When persons later tried to contact Ali, it was reported that someone with a Hispanic accent answered the phone, informed the caller that Ali and his Venezuelan friend had been kidnapped and demanded a ransom.
Police said a ransom was paid to the Venezuelan woman in Trinidad but the men had not been released up to yesterday morning.
