British millionaire's kidnappers in Ecuador 'had a police uniform and file on him'

Catherine Paola Santos and Colin Armstrong

The kidnappers of a British millionaire in Ecuador wore a police uniform and kept a file on him, the police said after their release.

Colin Armstrong, 78, a former honorary consul, was kidnapped from his farm along with his partner near the city of Guayaquil early Saturday morning.

He was released on Wednesday after after The Telegraph reported that British intelligence officers were assisting Ecuadorian detectives in their investigation.

Police said seven people were detained on suspicion of kidnapping, as well as two men on suspicion of extortion, for which Ecuador they face prison sentences of up to 13 and seven years, respectively.

After the arrests, officials located the police. Clothing and information about Mr. Armstrong are in the possession of the alleged kidnappers.

Prosecutors said: “Nine people are in preventive detention, seven of them for kidnapping for ransom and two for extortion.”

“The raids were carried out on December 16 and 17 in the Pancho Jacome and Beata Narcisa de Jesus sectors of the Cooperative, north of Guayaquil; and the canton of Daule.

“In the latter location, seven people were arrested after being caught red-handed.

»The police found clothing, weapons, ammunition, mobile phones and drugs, as well as information related to the kidnapping. victims.»

Policeman with Colin Armstrong after his release Photo: Shutterstock

Police confirmed Armstrong's release late Wednesday in Rocafuerte, which is nearly four hours northwest of the ranch home from which he was abducted along with Colombian partner Katherine Paola Santos.

She has been questioned by the police. after turning up at the home of a British businessman's son wearing what appeared to be an explosive vest, although police subsequently confirmed the device was fake.

Detectives described her as the victim, although initial statements in a social media post by a lawyer and former member MP Ricardo Vanegas said earlier this week that she was fathered by a man named Alberto Santos and was being questioned as a suspect.

Mr Armstrong, who was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2011, is the founder and owner of an agricultural company Agripac.

He also owns the 500-acre Tapgill Park estate in North Yorkshire.

Security officials suspect violent Ecuadorian gang Los Tiguerones kidnapped Armstrong after he refused to pay them a monthly fee for protection.

Los Tiguerones is one of the country's largest organized crime groups with ties to the Mexican cartels.