Police arrest six in alleged extortion ring bust in Delft and Mfuleni
Once charged, the suspects will appear in the Blue Downs Magistrate's Court.
Image: File
Police believe they have cracked an extortion syndicate operating in Delft and Mfuleni after arresting six suspects and seizing a cache of illegal firearms and drugs.
The arrests were made at about 5am on Thursday during a joint operation involving the Anti-Economic Crime Task Team, the Provincial Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Policing Team, and Crime Intelligence.
According to provincial police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk, the operation followed intelligence about a group terrorising residents in the two communities for extortion money.
"Identified addresses were visited, resulting in the arrest of six males aged between 22 and 31 for possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and possession of drugs," said Van Wyk.
In light of the ongoing gang violence plaguing Cape Town, police also welcomed the seizure of the illegal firearms.
The confiscated arsenal included an AK-47 with 28 rounds, a 9mm Makarov pistol with 61 rounds, a Beretta Z88 pistol with 15 rounds, a Norinco Star with five rounds, another 9mm pistol with 23 rounds, one R1 round, and 400 mandrax tablets.
Van Wyk confirmed that five of the six suspects are also wanted in connection with a double murder case in the Stellenbosch policing precinct.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Blue Downs and Bellville Magistrate’s Courts once they are formally charged. The seized firearms will be sent for ballistic analysis.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile commended the teams involved in the arrests.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
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