Police have prevented planned kidnapping

RIGA - Last September, the State Police prevented a planned kidnapping and busted a group linked to murder, extortion, and hostage-taking, the State Police informed LETA.

Since May 2025, the police have been conducting a criminal investigation into an organized criminal group that has been engaged in banditry in Latvia, committing several particularly serious criminal offenses. At least three people have been victimized by these individuals, including one who was murdered.

Last year, the State Police received information about the kidnapping of a person born in 1974. Although the criminals later released the person, she had sustained physical injuries. Meanwhile, in August of last year, members of an organized gang kidnapped a person born in 1982 and killed the person.

Information obtained during the investigation indicates that these criminal acts were most likely committed for financial gain.

While continuing the investigation as part of the criminal proceedings, the police also obtained information about other criminal offenses committed by these individuals, including extortion involving the use of violence, the illegal trafficking of firearms and ammunition, as well as the distribution of pornographic material.

During the investigation, the operations of a laboratory producing narcotic and psychotropic substances were also shut down. As part of the investigative activities, a total of 21 kilograms of methamphetamine and 23 kilograms of high-risk substances that can be used for the illegal manufacture of narcotic or psychotropic substances were seized. Upon shutting down this laboratory, various equipment, devices, items, and materials intended for the unauthorized manufacture of narcotic and psychotropic substances were also seized.

During the criminal investigation, information was obtained and corroborated indicating that an organized group of armed individuals is linked to the criminal offenses under investigation.

Ten individuals have been identified as suspects in the criminal proceedings. Five individuals have been placed in pretrial detention, while three have been subject to non-custodial preventive measures. Meanwhile, two other suspects are evading the investigation; a separate criminal case has been opened against them, and the investigation is ongoing. All of the individuals are Latvian nationals, and some have previously served prison sentences for drug trafficking and murder.

During the investigation, both the suspects’ property and criminally obtained assets, totaling approximately EUR 100,000, were seized.

Having gathered sufficient evidence, State Police officials referred the criminal case to the Riga Judicial District Prosecutor’s Office on August 3 of this year to initiate criminal proceedings against eight individuals, charging them with the criminal offense specified in the second part of Article 224 of the Criminal Law -banditry, or participation in crimes committed by a gang, which includes several particularly serious crimes.

Likewise, the criminal proceedings are classified under Section 118(5) of the Criminal Code - murder committed in an organized group - as well as Section 265(1) of the Criminal Code - for the unlawful manufacture of a vehicle registration plate; and Paragraph 2 of Article 166 - for the distribution of pornographic material containing child pornography and sexual acts between a human and an animal.

The State Police reminds the public that no person is considered guilty until their guilt in committing a criminal offense has been proven in accordance with the procedure established by law.