Taiwanese men kidnapped in Sydney, bashed held hostage

Four men have been charged by police after they allegedly kidnapped, assaulted and held two Taiwanese men over and alleged drug debt in Sydney last year.

Four men have been charged over the alleged kidnapping. Picture: Supplied.

Four men have been charged by police after they allegedly kidnapped, assaulted and held two men ransom in Sydney last year.

On November 11, 2024, officers attached to Ryde Police Area Command received a referral from the Taiwanese Consulate that a 24-year-old man had been kidnapped.

The kidnapped man had contacted his father in Thailand and was being held ransom for approximately $480,000 AUD.

Inquiries revealed a second hostage, a 26-year-old man, was also being held captive.

Police believe the two men were being held over an alleged drug debt.

Supplied images of arrest made under Strike Force Brackley.

It’s understood the men were both allowed to keep their phones during the alleged kidnapping ordeal, using them to call their parents, who then contacted authorities.

The matter was referred to State Crime Command’s Robbery & Serious Crime Squad who established Strike Force Brackley.

About 5.45am on November 12, 2024, Strike Force detectives, with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit, went to an address in Ermington where they found the two hostages.

It’s alleged the men were held captive and assaulted over two days over an alleged debt, with one man being detained at a second location in Western Sydney before being moved to the Ermington address.

A 23-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Gladesville Police Station where he was charged with two counts of take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion actual bodily harm.

The man was refused bail and appeared in Burwood Local Court the next day on Wednesday 13 November 2024.

In November last year police received a referral from the Taiwanese Consulate that a 24-year-old man had been kidnapped.

One month later — one December 12, 2024, Strike Force detectives arrested a 37-year-old man outside an office in Surry Hills.

He was taken to Surry Hills Police Station where he was charged with take in company with intent get advantage occasion actual bodily harm, take/detain in company with intent to ransom, occasion actual bodily harm, use unauthorised pistol and more.

The man was refused bail and appeared in Downing Centre Local Court on Friday 13 December 2024.

About 1pm on March 11, 2025, detectives — with assistance of Raptor Squad – executed a search warrant in Haymarket.

A 28-year-old man was arrested and charged with two counts of take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion actual bodily harm, and knowingly direct activities of criminal group.

On Tuesday, Strike Force detectives and South West Metropolitan Operational Support Group arrested a fourth man in Belmore in relation to the alleged kidnapping.

The man was taken to Campsie Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion actual bodily harm and more.

He was refused bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court today.

Investigations under Strike Force Buckley continue.