KOZHIKODE: An expatriate, who reached home from Saudi Arabia, kidnapped by a five-member gold smuggling team from Koyilandy, has been released. Ashraf was found in Kundamangalam. Some blade marks were found in his body.

He has been admitted in Kozhikode Medical College. He will be soon taken to Koyilandy. He was abducted from his residence at Uralloor in Koyilandy Tuesday early morning after threatening him at gunpoint.

He was taken to a timber mill in Mavoor. A case was registered against Ashraf in connection with gold smuggling through Kochi airport four years ago.

Ashraf, a carrier of gold smuggling brought two kilograms of gold from Riyadh and a dispute over it is suspected to be behind the abduction. The police are taking evidence from him.