Drugs likely involved in kidnappings – cops

POLICE believe drugs were behind a series of kidnappings in which alleged dealers drove their victims around Sydney at gunpoint forcing them to withdraw money.

A couple alleged by police to be drug dealers in the local nightclub scene have been charged with three counts of kidnapping after a Sydney DJ and a couple were held hostage for several hours in two separate incidents.

Police have found a "sophisticated replica" weapon which they believe was used in the alleged attacks. Police say the nightclub DJ was forced into the couple's vehicle in St Leonards last Friday and driven to several ATMs around the city.

He was forced to hand over a large amount of cash before his friends noticed him missing and called the police.

Police contacted the victim and he was released unharmed.

During investigations into the kidnapping, police uncovered a second and third victim allegedly held by the pair in April.

``The partner of the victim was detained in what could be called a drug house in Surry Hills, whilst these transactions took place,'' Detective Superintendent Robert Critchlow told reporters in Sydney.

Police say the couple were threatened and did not make any reports.

They allege all three victims were involved with the couple through drug dealing.

The alleged kidnappers were arrested on Friday morning after police found them driving in Waterloo.

Visit link:
Drugs likely involved in kidnappings - cops