Lethal kidnappers brought to justice

FOLLOWING a two-year investigation, the Guardia Civil have arrested 10 people in connection with the alleged kidnapping and murder of 50-year-old businessman Jose Luis Vazquez Escarpa.

The victim was abducted from the ‘San Gil’ industrial estate in the Illescas district of Toledo in May 2014, and the gang successfully obtained a ransom of €80,000 before executing him, following what police say was a preconceived plan.

An investigation headed by agents from the Homicide, Kidnapping and Extortion team of the Guardia Civil’s Central Operating Unit was initiated.

The detainees are to be charged with possession of illegal weapons, extortion, threats, membership of a criminal organisation and drug trafficking, among other offences.

The arrests were brought forward after it emerged that the gang were planning a new assassination following a similar strategy, after which they allegedly intended to dismember the victim and make him or her ‘disappear.’