KwaZulu-Natal police arrest five suspected extortionists in Hammersdale
Police Bust Alleged Extortion Ring in Mpumalanga Township, Seize Firearms and Drugs
Image: SAPS
KwaZulu-Natal police have scored another major breakthrough in their ongoing efforts to reduce violent crime, arresting five suspected extortionists and recovering four firearms along with a stash of drugs during a targeted operation in Mpumalanga township, Hammersdale.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said that police officers from the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Organised Crime, working together with Provincial Combat Team, Pinetown TRT, Empangeni and Durban Central K9 unit members, Pietermaritzburg and Provincial Criminal Record Centre teams executed search warrants and pounced on the suspects, four of whom were found inside one house.
"They were found in possession of three firearms and several rounds of ammunition," says Netshiunda.
"The fifth suspect was found in a separate rondavel and he was found in possession of a firearm, ammunition and 150 mandrax tablets," he added
Authorities believe the group is linked to a string of extortion and violent crimes that have plagued the Mpumalanga area in recent months. The suspects are expected to appear in the Mpumalanga Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 5 September, facing charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and possession and dealing in drugs.
The bust comes just after police announced the arrest of over 13,500 suspects in August alone, underscoring the province’s aggressive stance on crime, in which at least 13 542 suspects were taken into custody for various categories of crime. Police also recovered 360 firearms and 8 791 rounds of ammunition.
Of the 360 firearms recovered, 301 were pistols, 23 rifles, 18 homemade guns, 13 shotguns and several semi-automatic or automatic firearm.
In the previous report, KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, confirmed the arrests and said the operation was bolstered by routine policing activities.
“Police in KwaZulu-Natal appreciate the participation of community members in the fight against crime,” said Netshiunda.
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