Cape Town – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested three suspects and recovered five firearms during an intelligence-driven operation targeting extortion-related crime in Hout Bay, Western Cape, on Wednesday morning.
According to police, members of the Anti-Economic Crime Task Team and the Counterfeit and Illicit Policing Team carried out coordinated searches at identified premises linked to suspects believed to be involved in extortion activities.
“Members of the Anti-Economic Crime Task Team and the Counterfeit and Illicit Policing Team conducted an operation in Hout Bay where they searched identified premises of suspects who is believed to commit extortion,” police said in a statement.
During the operation, officers confiscated an AK-47 assault rifle with 30 rounds of ammunition, three 9mm pistols, a .38 Special revolver, and various other ammunition.
Police said the arrests form part of ongoing efforts to combat extortion networks in the province.
Extortion cases can be reported confidentially to the national toll-free hotline at 0800 31 4444.
