Specialist crime crews used for Sydney abductions, police say

Criminal masterminds behind the kidnap and torture of a number of Sydney people use different groups and specialist crime crews for specific roles in the abductions, police say.

Peter Vuong (top left), was rescued by police after a six-day kidnap ordeal. NSW Robbery and Serious Crime Unit Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi (bottom left) says in some cases, kidnappers are grabbing people on wrong or outdated information. Police have made 10 people over the abduction of six people since the beginning of the year (main picture). Pictures: News Corp/Supplied

Criminal masterminds behind the kidnapping and torture of a number of Sydney people are using different groups for specific roles in the abductions.

NSW police have arrested 10 people over the abduction of six people since the beginning of the year where five of the victims have had their fingers or toes amputated and teeth removed in an attempt to extort money from them or there families.

“There is a hierarchy in the system in these criminal groups,’’ said the boss of the NSW Robbery and Serious Crime Squad, Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi.

“At the top there is someone who masterminds the abduction and calls the shots. Different crews are hired and responsible for each aspect of the planned crime,” he said.

NSW Robbery and Serious Crime Unit Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi. Picture: Joel Carrett

In one abduction, three different criminal crews played separate roles in the grabbing and brutal torture of a 30-year-old man from St Marys. He had two fingers and a toe removed, as well as having acid poured over his face.

“The (the mastermind) might hire a crew that does the abduction and the babysitting, then they hire a second crew that come in and contract the physical assaults and injuries to the hostages and try to extort money. Another group will be used to take the hostage from one location to another location,’’ he said.

Detective Doueihi said this was used against the man before he was dumped at Greenacre in February because he was suspected of being involved in the theft of 65 kgs of cocaine from another crime syndicate.

Photos of the mutilated victims are sent to victims family or associates to force them to either hand over money or give up the location of drugs.

One of the hostages was held for six days before police working around the clock were able to track him down and free him.

Police believe they have arrested the “muscle’’ involved in a number of the abductions but are still looking for the organisers of the kidnappings.

“In some cases they are grabbing people on wrong or outdated information, ‘’ Superintendent Doueihi.

The kidnap of criminals among themselves has been a common practice, which has been going on for years and is hardly ever reported to police.

“With these matters that have come to light this year the victims have generally speaking not been major players in the criminal world, not involved in major criminality and there families have come forward and reported the matters to police.

“I’m over the moon with the success of recent operation has resulted in recovery of hostages and arrests of offenders. but I want to stress the average citizen is not at risk in any way,’’ he said.

Superintendent Doueihi said there was no obvious link between the abductions but investigations were continuing.