Acehnese Victims Of Kidnapping Returned From Thailand, Arrested For Debt Of Victim's Brother With Drug Syndicate

The Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimum) of the Aceh Police in collaboration with the National Police Attache and the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok to help the Royal Thai Police and Interpol uncover the kidnapping case of East Acehnese and repatriate victims to their homeland.

Head of Public Relations of the Aceh Police, Kombes Joko Krisdiyanto, said the victim named Bustami was reportedly kidnapped in Thailand on December 28, 2024.

"The victim was kidnapped and held captive by Thai citizens. Finally, the victim was rescued after Royal Thai Police and Interpol together with the National Police Attache, the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, and the Aceh Police revealed the kidnapping case. Currently, the victim has been sent home," said Joko Krisdiyanto as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 18.

Previously, Bustami was reported missing in Thailand on December 28, 2024. Bustami allegedly went to Thailand on the persuasion of two Indonesian citizens with the initials MN alias AM and DH.

Based on the results of the investigation, he said, MN alias AM and DH promised the victim would get money for the business. After arriving at Don Muang Airport on December 22, 2024, Bustami was picked up by an unknown person and taken to Kharomai.

"On December 25, 2024, the victim's brother named Husaini received a video showing Bustami being held captive. Bustami was held captive because of Husaini's debt to DH. The release negotiations were carried out until the victim's family paid Rp700 million," he said.

Joko revealed that the Thai Police's rescue operation was carried out infeasibility. However, at that time, the victim managed to escape before being found safe at Bangkok Railway Station, on January 29, 2025.

"From the results of the investigation, it was revealed that the case was related to the debt of the victim's brother who was related to a cross-border drug syndicate," said Joko Krisdiyanto.

Furthermore, the Aceh Police coordinated with the National Police Headquarters and Overcome the Police of the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok. Then, the Aceh Police rescued and repatriated the victim to his homeland.

"Ditreskrimum Polda Aceh together with the Police Attache in Bangkok are also coordinating with the Thai police to arrest the perpetrators. The perpetrator is suspected of being part of a cross-border drug syndicate," said Joko.