Chilling text messages allegedly sent by a gang threatening to cut off a woman’s toes with bolt cutters for more than $25 million worth of stolen cocaine have emerged.
A 40-year-old accused kidnapper, who can only be identified as AN for legal reasons, allegedly grabbed the woman from a Sydney street and passed her to a group of men who allegedly tortured her for two days in an Ermington basement .
Police allege the woman held a gun to her head as the gang of up to nine men tried to extract a ‘confession’ over the location of 84kg of missing cocaine.
They allegedly sent pictures of her severed toe to her boyfriend, and pictures of a gun to her head with the words: ‘You think we’re joking’.
Other text messages allegedly sent by the group include: “I just cut off her toe,” “Fingers next,” and “I just stomped on her head.”
The gang even allegedly kidnapped and tortured two of the woman’s male friends when they could not determine the location of the cocaine.
Texts allegedly sent by the gang as they tried to find the location of the missing cocaine include “Fingers next” and “I just stomped on her head”
The bloodied van in which a male friend of the woman is said to have been hit before his fingers were cut off
The woman was held in a basement for two days and allegedly tortured, with her toes cut off with bolt cutters, while her boyfriend was texted: ‘I just cut off her toe… fingers next’
The hand of one of the male friends whose fingers were said to have been amputated during the horrific ordeal
In another series of messages, the partner was then warned: ’20 minutes and something else comes out’ and ‘you don’t just steal 25 million and hope it goes away.
“If the police are notified she will be dead,” another alleged message said.
Some men then tied her half-naked body to a tree under cover of night, police alleged.
After breaking free, the woman found help and spent six days in John Hunter Hospital.
Police allege that kidnapper AN then tried to flee the country to Thailand when police seized his father’s van, which they say was used in the woman’s kidnapping.
Two of the woman’s close male friends were also allegedly kidnapped and tortured.
One reportedly had his face smashed into the back of a van and then had his fingers cut off.
Another series of alleged messages sent by the gang as they attempted to locate the cocaine
Bail application of the suspected kidnapper
The NSW Supreme Court heard on Friday that AN was involved in a drug operation with the woman involving “dead drops” of drugs in public places such as parks.
When the enormous shipment of cocaine disappeared, AN allegedly blamed the woman for the theft.
In mid-February last year, she was reportedly kidnapped, held in a basement and tortured by up to nine men.
The woman was held at a base in Ermington for three days while men held a gun to her head, cut off her toes with bolt cutters and then tied her to a tree in bushland.
The male victims were said to have had their fingers and toes chopped off and one of the men had his head stomped on during the ordeal in February last year.
AN allegedly told the woman he was leaving Australia for Vietnam, but on February 18, 2024, he was found at the airport preparing for a flight to Hong Kong with a connection to Phuket, Thailand.
He had $10,000 cash on him. Police arrested him and charged him with six offences, including capture or detention in company with intent to demand ransom occasioning actual bodily harm.
He was also charged with possession of an unauthorized pistol, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, knowingly directing a criminal group, arresting in company with intent to cause actual bodily harm and knowingly and knowingly leading a criminal group.
During his bail hearing he heard that he was ‘addicted to drugs’ during the commission of the alleged crime.
The woman was held for two days while she was allegedly tortured for more than $25 million worth of cocaine and her boyfriend sent text messages saying if police were told she would be killed.
As his client appeared via video link from prison, AN lawyer Tom Hughes said if released on bail the man had agreed to go straight to rehab at Connect Global in Port Stephens.
The lawyer said, ‘Is he going to do a runner? He won’t have a passport. He would be closely monitored… and is receiving support from his family.”
He said AN would wear a satellite tracking ankle bracelet funded by his family, who would also post a $150,000 bond.
However, Crown Prosecutor Raffaella Buttini said the alleged female victim, who would provide direct evidence at the trial, was not only a flight risk but also potentially in danger if not behind bars.
Judge Mark Ierace formally refused bail, describing the alleged torture as ‘harrowing’ and saying his release posed an ‘unacceptable risk’.
However, His Honor told the suspect that he had been in custody for an ‘unacceptable’ period.
If the matter is further postponed in court, he may be able to reapply for bail, the judge said.