Police Arrest Gang Of Members Of The Palak Trader Ormas To Ruko In Depok

JAKARTA - The Sub-Directorate of Crime and Violence (Jatanras) of the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation of the Metro Jaya Police arrested a gang of members of the Betawi mass organization who often blackmail traders in the Bojongsari area, Depok, West Java.

"The number of members of the mass organization is five people, but one person has the status of a DPO," said Head of Sub-Directorate for Jatanras, Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimum) Polda Metro Jaya, AKBP Abdul Rahim, as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, May 17.

Abdul explained that the five members of the mass organization, namely M as chairman, AK alias W as Secretary General, then NN, RS and IM (DPO) as members were arrested after reports from traders in Bojongsari, Depok.

"Starting when the victim only opened a business stall in the Bojongsari area, Depok, then the victim was visited by the reported parties who asked for money from the Ormas in the Bojongsari area," he said.

In addition to asking for allotment money, the members of the mass organization also strangled and closed the victim's rolling door shop. Feared, the victim finally handed over Rp500 thousand.

"Furthermore, the reported parties also asked the victim for money every month for security money. The victim also handed over money in stages up to a total of around Rp. 1 million," he said.

When the arrests were made on Friday (16/5), the four members of the mass organization admitted that they had been carrying out these activities since 2021.

"After further investigation, the suspects carried out acts of extortion and asked for money from shops and business places from 2021 to 2025 in the Bojongsari Baru area," said Abdul.

The perpetrators often extort hawkers, construction workers and shops around Bojongsari, and even shophouses around the perpetrators collect monthly money.

During the arrest, the police also secured a number of pieces of evidence, namely three receipts from the victim, which is proof of the transaction giving money, two bundles of receipts, two stamps of the FBR mass organization, five cellphones, one bundle of notes and proposals for the FBR Bojongsari mass organization.

The suspects are charged with Article 368 of the Criminal Code concerning the criminal act of extortion and or Article 335 of the Criminal Code concerning criminal acts of coercion with violence or threats.

"With a maximum imprisonment of nine years," he said.