Venezuelans demand US$200,000 for kidnapped T&T fishermen

[CNC3.co.tt] – Police are searching for clues in connection with the suspected kidnapping of five fishermen and a teenager by men believed to be Venezuelan pirates, who are demanding US$200,000 by this Friday for their release.

A picture of the victims began circulating on social media this morning. The T&T nationals are seen surrounded by armed men with high powered rifles.

The victims 16-year-old Jandesh Jaikaran, Linton Manohar, Brandon Arjoon, brothers Jason and Jerry O’Brien and Ricky Rambarose, all from Morne Diablo, reportedly left to go fishing on Sunday afternoon and were expected to return on Monday morning.

However, reports say Manohar’s relatives received a call from him saying he and the others were kidnapped by Venezuelan pirates.

The relatives were told the kidnappers are demanding $200,000 dollars by this Friday.

They also demanded a downpayment be made by Wednesday and threatened to cut off the hands and limbs of the men if money was not received.

When Guardian Media visited the relatives today, many say while they were not rich, they would sell whatever possessions they had to raise some money to pay the ransom.

This is the third kidnapping for the month of January allegedly done by Venezuelan pirates.

Two weeks ago cousins 16-year-old Kenrick Morgan and Kendall Singh were abducted and a ransom demanded.

Construction worker Judah Ramnarine was also reportedly kidnapped.

Investigations are ongoing.