Having Been Operating For 6 Months, The Medan Polrestabes Finally Arrested 2 Extortionists To SME Traders

Two residents of Medan ZL (42) and EJP (28) who extorted SME traders were arrested by the Medan/ANTARA Polrestabes

Medan Police Satreskrim personnel arrested two perpetrators of illegal levies (extortion) against traders of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in a suburban area in front of Merdeka Square and Jalan Cemara Medan, North Sumatra. The two perpetrators, namely EJP (28) were arrested by officers at Medan Merdeka Square and ZL (42) were arrested in the area of Jalan Cemara Medan. "The two extortionists were arrested from two different locations," said Head of Criminal Investigation Unit Kompol Teuku Fathir Mustafa in a written statement, Antara, Sunday, November 6. Fathir said the two extortionists were arrested by Medan Police Satreskrim personnel, Saturday, November 5 yesterday. The perpetrator was arrested in accordance with the order of the Medan Police Chief to maintain business activities, especially in Medan City. "We carried out operations to take action against extortionists under the pretext of security money and to protect the surrounding environment," he said. The Head of Criminal Investigation Unit revealed that the extortion activities carried out by the perpetrators had been going on for about six to eight months. The money collected each month is for the perpetrator's personal gain. For extortionists at Merdeka Square, the perpetrator set a price of IDR 4,000,000 for traders who sell. When arrested, the perpetrator was taking panjar money for stalls selling SMEs per stall amounting to IDR 300,000. "Meanwhile, the confiscated evidence was in the form of a Rp300,000 down payment, Rp300,000 billion in receipts - for selling stalls, one empty receipt, one pen, one Android cellphone, and one unit of Satria Fu BK 512 AYA motorcycle," he explained. Fathir added that the perpetrators were charged with Article 368 of the Criminal Code, and were still in the process of being investigated. The operation to take action against the perpetrators of extortion will continue to be carried out with the aim of creating a sense of security in society. The operation to take action against the perpetrators of extortion was also carried out by the Polsek-Polsek ranks in the jurisdiction of the Medan Polrestabes. "We also hope that the public can provide information if they know of illegal levies. Not only for MSMEs, but also for all people in Medan City," he said.