Relatives: Recovered consultant was being held in Venezuela

Komal Maharaj, who was missing for 14 days, was reunited with his family on August 2.

Maharaj has two children – girls aged five and eight – and a wife of ten years.

Maharaj, 40, went missing on July 19 and was last seen leaving his Felicity home around 11.30 am in his blue Hyundai Ioniq to visit the Scotiabank ATM at Price Plaza, Chaguanas.

Less than an hour later, he contacted his wife saying he was at the ATM and intended to meet briefly with someone he did not identify, before returning home by 2 pm.
But he never returned and calls and messages to his phone went unanswered.

In a Facebook statement on Saturday, Maharaj's family said, "While the details of the entire ordeal cannot be made public at this time, due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, we can confirm that Komal was held captive in Venezuela."

The family's statement said his wife was able to communicate with Maharaj "under the watchful eyes of his captors."

"Maharaj (wife) engaged the assistance of the TT Police Service (TTPS).

"Under the TTPS' guidance, Komal's release was negotiated."

The statement said an undisclosed sum of money was paid for his "safe return."

This "safe return" saw Maharaj dropped off at sea close to Trinidad's southwestern peninsula, from  where he was required to swim ashore.

"He swam to shore and found his way to a shop in Chatham, where he contacted his wife."

They said he was picked up by police, who took him for a medical evaluation.

Maharaj was reunited with his family late on Friday evening and: "He continues to heal and work with the TTPS on its investigation."

The statement ended, "We are grateful for the prayers and support that brought Komal back safely.

"Our family continues to pray that he heals from the trauma that was experienced and that life can resume with some level of normalcy."

Newsday tried to contact head of the Anti-kidnapping Unit Darryl Ramdass for an update on the investigation, but calls to his phone went unanswered.