Remains of T&T businessman kidnapped in 2008 believed found

(Trinidad Express) The remains of businessman Naail Ali were found in a shallow grave off Orange Grove Road South, Tacarigua, on Thursday, police believe.

Ali was kidnapped three years and six months ago by three gunmen.

The remains which are believed to be Ali’s were discovered Thursday by police, who never gave up the search for him.

The breakthrough in the case came after police received credible information from a kidnap accused, which indicated Ali was buried near a vegetable garden.

Ali’s family could finally have closure in the matter, once an examination of the remains is completed today at the Forensic Science Centre in St James to confirm the identity.

A contingent of police officers from the Region II Homicide Bureau of Investigations and the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) made the discovery around 3.30 p.m.

Police had started their searches around 9 a.m. in the area Thursday.

In October, homicide officers were attacked by a swarm of killer bees after they went in search of Ali’s body in the same area but using a route off Trantrail Road, St Augustine.

Yesterday, they used a different route, and with the assistance of the operator of a mini-excavator, crime scene investigators assigned to the Homicide Bureau exhumed the alleged remains of Ali.

The remains, police said, were found in a waterlogged area, approximately nine feet deep. Officers also found items of clothing believed to belong to Ali.

The skull, they said, had hair on it which belongs to that of an East Indian male. Tests are expected to be performed on the teeth to determine the exact identity.

Since he was kidnapped in June 2008, AKS and other officers had mounted multiple searches throughout the country, with the hope of bringing him back to his family alive.