Undercover Mozambican police officers today foiled an attempt to kidnap a businessman on Karl Marx Avenue in Maputo city. According to information received by MZNews, the businessman was Gulam Rassul Moti.

The data, which is still scarce and could be updated at any time, indicates that the plainclothes policemen already knew about the plan and were ready to arrest the kidnappers, who are South Africans.

The sources say that the police managed to prevent the kidnapping and arrested two citizens. One arrest took place when one of the kidnappers was dragging the victim into a car, on Avenida Karl Marx, and the other was in the car park next to the Administrative Court building, on Avenida Josina Machel, when the second kidnapper was trying to escape. Information that is not yet precise indicates that a third individual escaped.

Who is Gulam (Ghulam) Rassul Moti?

Information gathered by MZNews, dated 2010 and 2018reports that Gulam (Ghulam) Rassul Moti is a discreet Mozambican businessman. He owns Moti Comercial and Moti Rent a Car. This information is linked to his alleged involvement in drug trafficking, especially heroin.

"I've never had a job like this. I'm not even worried about it," but "a deal with the head of state would be good. For God's sake! Who wouldn't want to do business with the head of state?" said the businessman, reacting to a WikiLeaks disclosure about his involvement in drug trafficking crimes.

Another text recalls that in August 1997 the businessman was arrested in connection with the seizure of 12 tons of hashish in Quisanga, Cabo Delgado.

"He had previously been summoned in connection with the smuggling of hashish to the US and Europe from the port of Nacala, in containers disguised as tea. He was acquitted," reads the document, which links the businessman's name to high-ranking Frelimo officials.