UK intelligence assist hunt for kidnapped British businessman in Ecuador

British intelligence providers had been right this moment stated to be aiding Ecuadorian police looking millionaire British businessman Colin Armstrong and his kidnappers as fears for his security continued to develop.

Cesar Zapata, appointed as common commander of the nation’s National Police power earlier this 12 months by former President Guillermo Lasso, has reportedly taken private cost of the high-level probe together with a specialist anti-kidnap and extortion unit known as UNASE.

Mr Armstrong’s glamorous accomplice is being quizzed by detectives after being rescued in a secret operation authorities in Ecuador have saved a lid on, unconfirmed native experiences say.

And the beautiful brunette, named domestically as Katherine Paola Santos, grew to become the main target in a single day of surprising claims made by a veteran Ecuadorian lawyer and former MP amid police silence on the progress of their ongoing investigation.

The Colombian-born magnificence was kidnapped together with 78-year-old former honorary consul Mr Armstrong at his ranch dwelling on Saturday.

Colin Armstrong, 78, and accomplice Katherine Paola Santos are pictured collectively in Jamaica

Mr Armstrong headed the British Consulate within the Ecuadorian port metropolis of Guayaquil and has been honoured by the late Queen for his providers to his nation

Mr Armstrong was Britain’s former honorary consul within the metropolis of Guayaquil till his son Nick took over in 2016.

As effectively as founding and proudly owning a big agricultural provide firm within the South American nation, he’s a director alongside along with his son of the 500-acre Tupgill Park Estate close to Leyburn in North Yorkshire which has been the household dwelling for greater than 45 years.

Ecuador’s National Police have thus far made just one official touch upon the kidnap, which occurred round 2.45am native time on Saturday on the British businessman’s ranch known as Rancho Rodeo Grande close to the city of Baba in Los Rios province, two hours drive north of Guayaquil.

In a tweet on Saturday, the power stated: ‘Following an obvious felony act in opposition to a businessman within the early hours of this morning in Los Rios, specialist police models are finishing up operative and investigative work on the bottom.’

Mr Colin, as he was identified affectionately by workers on the ranch, is known to have been kidnapped in an operation involving greater than 15 gangsters and forcibly bundled right into a black BMW he owned along with his accomplice which was later discovered deserted close to the scene.

There has been no official remark about video footage that has emerged on social media purporting to indicate the girl recognized as Katherine Paola Santos having an explosives vest eliminated by police specialists on Saturday afternoon at a property on a personal gated property in Samborondon close to Guayaquil stated to belong to a relative of Mr Armstrong.

The couple seem collectively on a safari vacation on this image earlier than their reported abduction 

The city north of Guayaquil is identical locality the place former MP Ricardo Vanegas’ workplace is predicated.

Last night time it was reported Nick Armstrong, who helps run the household property in North Yorkshire, had flown to Ecuador to assist police find his father.

Colin’s daughter Diana Armstrong-Bruns, an property agent based mostly in California, advised MailOnline: ‘This is a crucial time, we have been advised to not say something to anybody. We simply need my father again.’

Mr Armstrong, who is assumed to have beforehand been married to an Ecuadorian girl, has had an extended affiliation with the South America nation. He based Agripac in 1972.

His adopted son Leo Morris helps run a restaurant on the household’s Yorkshire property.

The property now welcomes greater than 150,000 guests a 12 months to an attraction generally known as the Forgotten Corner which was initially constructed as a personal folly.

Mr Armstrong was awarded an OBE and CMG by the late Queen in 2011.

Colin Armstrong, 78, and accomplice Katherine Paola Santos are pictured collectively 

Colin’s daughter Diana Armstrong-Bruns, an property agent based mostly in California, (pictured) advised MailOnline: ’This is a crucial time, we’ve been advised to not say something to anybody. We simply need my father again.’

Footage displaying the aftermath of the kidnap was posted on-line shortly after it occurred.

A girl regarded as a member of workers filming contained in the ranch took close-up pictures of damaged plates on the ground and a person who gave the impression to be holding a bandage to his head.

She then walked into one of many bedrooms the place there was blood over the mattress and stated as she centered in on the stained sheets: ‘This is the place they hit him. My God what is that this!!!’

Pictures on TikTok present rich businessman Colin Armstrong, 78, and accomplice Katherine Paola Santos having fun with a jet-set life-style previous to their kidnapping on Saturday

The unidentified girl gave the impression to be referring to the person she had beforehand filmed sitting on the steps nursing what appeared to be a head wound.

The British businessman and his companion had been pictured having fun with a jet-set life-style collectively previous to their kidnapping.

The photos, posted as a montage by a neighborhood information organisation on TikTok, confirmed them on board a cruise ship and beneath the Hollywood register Los Angeles.

There are additionally photos of the smiling couple on horseback and posing in entrance of Egyptian pyramids.

There have been no experiences but any ransom demand has been made.