CENTCOM NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

October 14, 2004
Release Number: 04-10-40


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


IRAQI POLICE TAKE DOWN KIRKUK 'HOSTAGE HOUSE'

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi Police Service officers from the Meghdad Police Department in Kirkuk in Northern Iraq seized seven suspected kidnappers, Tuesday, from a believed hostage house after intercepting two kidnap victims fleeing from four armed men in the city.

Officers moved to the home in the Wahid Huzayray area after questioning the victims and calling for backup. A single individual was detained in the initial search and interrogated, leading officers to a second suspect in the Arafa neighborhood of Kirkuk.

Officers watched over the home and nabbed five additional individuals later returning to the home.

In the operation police also seized five AK-47s with ammunition, one Egyptian grenade, various knives, Iraqi National Guard and U.S. Army desert combat uniforms, multiple currencies and bank checks, and two bottles of Ketamine – a rapid acting disassociative anesthetic similar to phencyclidine (PCP) used to subdue victims.




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