Six people detained for extorting CNY 'protection money'

Two women and four men have been detained by the police for alleged involvement in extorting Chinese New Year (CNY) 'protection money' from owners of business premises in the city centre.

The suspects, aged between 16 and 27, were believed to have coerced their victims into giving money or liquor to ensure their premises would not be 'disturbed' during the CNY celebrations.

North East police chief ACP Gan Kong Meng today attributed the success behind the arrests to surveillance and public information.

He said the police got their 'break' when they nabbed a suspect at a house in Bandar Baru, Air Itam before rounding up the rest in the district about 6pm yesterday.

He said the police seized four pieces of white paper on which were recorded numbers, believed to be the sum of extortion money collected from criminal activities; 82 bottles of liquor, 42 business cards and a whip.