Kidnapping rings congregating in Northern Bekaa usually work independently but the abduction of Marc al-Hajj Moussa was the result of a two-gang collaboration.
One ring, operated by H.J. also known as Mohamad Dora, can be located somewhere between Dar village and al-Sharawna neighborhood in Baalbek.
The kidnappers however had to move to Brital after a series of raids by the Lebanese army. The gang placed their captive in the custody of al-Ismail ring and agreed to split the ransom once the deal is closed.
Despite the impeccable record in successful security operations, officers were unable to free Marc. His father had to pay a $350,000 ransom on Saturday, Aug.8, 2015 in exchange for his release.

 

Here’s how the swap deal was carried out:
Captors had asked the captive’s father on Saturday to head to Douris town in the Bekaa, and wait by the gas station.
On his way to the designated location, Marc’s father received another call instructing him to drive towards Brital.
Before reaching his destination, a 4-wheel truck intercepted his way.
Gunmen stepped down, including one suspected to be the brother of Farhan Ismail who is currently detained by the army, and another called Qassem Shaalan Ismail, shot a day before during the military raid on Brital.
The gang first took the money, and then led the father to an FJ Cruiser in which Marc, along with allegedly al-Jaafar family members working for Mohamad Dora, were waiting.

 

The FJ Cruiser Marc was riding happened to have been stolen from Jdeideh on Aug. 1, as in a few days ahead of the kidnapping.
MTV has learnt that Marc’s kidnapping came after the gang’s failed attempt at robbing Egyptian singer Tamer Hosni on Dbayeh highway.

 

The attackers started shooting but fortunately, Hosni’s driver was able to flee the scene before anyone got hurt.