Chilling text messages allegedly sent by a gang as they threatened to cut off a woman’s toes with bolt cutters and 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 snatched the woman from a Sydney street and handed her over to a group of men who allegedly tortured her for two days in an Ermington basement.
Police claim the woman had a gun to her head as the gang of up to nine men allegedly tried to obtain a “confession” about the location of 84kg of missing cocaine.
They allegedly sent photos of her severed finger to her boyfriend and photos 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 his toe,” “Next toes,” and “I just stomped on his head.”
The gang allegedly even kidnapped and tortured two of the woman’s male friends when they were unable to determine the location of the cocaine.
Text messages allegedly sent by the gang while trying to find the location of the missing cocaine include “Fingers next” and “I just stomped on his head.”
The bloody van in which the woman’s friend was allegedly trampled before cutting off her fingers
The woman was held for two days in a basement and was allegedly tortured, including having her toes cut off with bolt cutters while texting her boyfriend: “I just cut off your toe… next “.
The hand of one of the male friends whose fingers were allegedly amputated in the horrific experience.
In another series of messages, the partner was warned: “20 minutes and something else will come out” and “you don’t steal 25 million and hope it disappears.”
“If the police are informed, she is dead,” another alleged message said.
Some of the men then tied her half-naked body to a tree under the cover of night, police alleged.
After freeing herself, the woman found help and spent six days in John Hunter Hospital.
Police allege kidnapper AN then attempted to flee the country for Thailand when police confiscated his father’s van, which they claim was used in the woman’s kidnapping.
Two of the woman’s closest male friends were also allegedly kidnapped and tortured.
One allegedly had his face stomped on in the back of a van and then had his fingers cut off.
Another set of alleged messages sent by the gang while trying to locate the cocaine
Accused kidnapper’s bail request
The NSW Supreme Court heard on Friday that AN had been involved in a drug deal with the woman involving drug “dead drops” in public places such as parks.
When the huge amount of cocaine disappeared, AN allegedly blamed the robbery on the woman.
In mid-February last year, she was allegedly kidnapped, held in a basement and tortured by up to nine men.
The woman was held at an Ermington base for three days while the men held a gun to her head, cut off her toes with bolt cutters and then tied her to a tree in a thicket.
The male victims allegedly had their fingers and toes cut off and one of the men had his head stamped 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 to board a flight to Hong Kong with a connection to Phuket, Thailand.
He had $10,000 in cash in his possession. Police arrested him and charged him with six offences, including taking or detaining in company with intent to collect ransom and causing actual bodily harm.
He was also charged with possessing an unauthorized pistol, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, knowingly leading a criminal group, detaining in company to gain advantage causing actual bodily harm and knowingly leading a criminal group.
His bail hearing heard he was “high” during the commission of the alleged offence.
The woman was detained for two days while she was allegedly tortured for $25 million worth of cocaine and her boyfriend sent her text messages saying that if she told the police they would kill her.
With his client appearing via video link from prison, AN lawyer Tom Hughes said if granted bail, the man had agreed to go straight to drug rehabilitation at Connect Global in Port Stephens .
The lawyer said, ‘Are you going to run away? He will not have a passport. He would be closely watched…and would have the support of his family.’
He said AN would wear a satellite tracking ankle bracelet financed by his family, who would also offer a $150,000 guarantee.
However, Crown prosecutor Raffaella Buttini said that as well as being a flight risk, the alleged female victim, who would provide direct evidence at trial, was also a potential risk if not behind bars.
Judge Mark Ierace formally refused AN bail, describing the alleged torture as “heartbreaking” and saying his release posed an “unacceptable risk”.
However, His Honor told the defendant that he had been remanded in custody for an “unacceptable” period.
If the case was further delayed in court, he could make another bail application, the judge said.