If slavery is a fire, kidnapping is the coal that fueled it.

King Alfonso I, who ruled over the Kongo Empire, wrote the following to the king of Portugal:

“Each day the traders are kidnapping our people—children of this country, sons of our nobles and vassals, even people of our own family. This corruption and depravity are so widespread that our land is entirely depopulated. We need in this kingdom only priests and schoolteachers, and no merchandise, unless it is wine and flour for Mass. It is our wish that this Kingdom not be a place for the trade or transport of slaves.

It’s also no secret that modern day sex trafficking and slavery hinges greatly on kidnapping: “Traffickers kidnap their victims, and then drug them or secure them so they cannot escape”

A small search on the web and you'll find the stories of people who were both kidnaped, or were doing the kidnapping: "Three people are facing charges of human sex trafficking and kidnapping in St. Lucie County."

In contrast, Scripture prohibits the very engine that drives slavery. Some would argue the penalty goes not only to the kidnapper, but to the person who bought them: “He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death.” – Exodus 21:16.