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Western Cape police say their efforts to crack down on escalating extortion in the province are beginning to pay off with the latest arrest of three suspects in a sting operation in Botrivier on Thursday.
Overberg detectives, visible members of the police, criminal intelligence and members of the Overberg Anti-Gang Unit participated in a sting operation on Thursday after receiving information that a local businessman was extorted R300,000 in exchange for ” protection”.
The combined force swooped down on the suspects, ages 50, 39 and 29, from whom they recovered the cash. They also seized cell phones, two vehicles, and a significant number of 3G SIM cards, as well as bank cards.
Potelwa said the assistance of local city officials and neighborhood watch members with state-of-the-art technology added much-needed value to the operation.
“Further investigations will determine if they are linked to other cases,” Potelwa said.
“The arrests have been hailed as a step in the right direction in integrated efforts to decisively tackle the crime of extortion,” he said.
The suspects, who hail from Delft, Khayelitsha and Eersterivier, are scheduled to make their first appearance at Caledon magistrates court on Tuesday.
TimesLIVE
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