A KIDNAP victim was executed in a High Wycombe field by members of a Colombian drugs gang, a court heard.

Hernan Mora, 42, from Tottenham, north London, was driven to Skimmers Orchard Farm in Amersham Road, Hazlemere, and strangled with a plastic bag over his head in a portable building on the site, a jury at the Old Bailey was told.

A second captive Luis Morales, 33, was badly beaten and forced to watch the killing on July 5, 1997, before being released, it was claimed.

It is alleged that the killing was ordered by drug cartel boss Wilson Cardenaz, who believed he had been double-crossed by the two drug mules for US $100,000.

Hever Morales, 29, of Newbury Road, Chingford, and Zoran Vujovic, 40, of no fixed address are accused of kidnap and murder which they both deny. Vujovic denies two further charges of false imprisonment.

Prosecutor Jonathan Laidlaw told the court how drugs couriers had handed the cash to Luis Morales' father in Cali, Colombia, but it never reached the barons.

He said: "If you have lost money belonging to the cartel and you cannot replace it you are likely to lose your life."

It is believed the Colombians joined gangs from the former Yugoslavia who provided transport and use of the south Bucks farm, the court heard.

Luis Morales was "lured" to Cardenaz's flat in Kentish Town before being taken to Skimmers Orchard Farm along with Hernan Mora, and the pair were interrogated by Cardenaz, it was claimed.

Mr Laidlaw added: "By refusing to pay, Hernan condemned himself to die. Having been forced to watch the death of his friend, Luis Morales agreed to pay what money he had available to the cartel."

It is thought his girlfriend handed over cash in the region of £80,000 and Luis Morales was released in North London. Police discovered the body at Summers Wood Farm, in Ridge, Herts. A fingerprint of Hever Morales was found on a bin-bag used to wrap the body and in 2000 Luis Morales admitted he had been kidnapped, the court heard.

Attempts are being made to extradite Wilson Cardenaz from The Netherlands, jurors were told.

The case continues.