Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat said that the suspects, aged between 20 and 46, were arrested in several raids at six locations in Kota Bharu, Bachok, Pasir Puteh and Tumpat yesterday morning.

Police also rescued the kidnapping victim, a man in his 20s.

Yusoff said that on Sept 26, the victim was kidnapped and confined in an unnumbered house in Cherang Ruku. He said the suspects demanded a ransom of RM150,000 from the man’s employer.

“Based on intelligence, a team from the Kelantan criminal investigation department carried out raids between 2am and 11.30am yesterday,” he said in a statement.

Yusoff said that police also seized various items, including 15 mobile phones, three vehicles, an iron chain with five padlocks, face masks, cable ties, and clothing worn during the incident.

“Also seized were a revolver and an imitation pistol marked ‘Austria’,” he said.

He said the complainant in the case handed over RM29,000 in ransom to the suspects before the arrests were made.

“All of the suspects have been remanded for four days until Oct 5 for further investigation under Sections 385, 342 and 365 of the Penal Code, as well as Section 8 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971,” he said.