Kazakhstan's Ministry of Internal Affairs has released footage of the detention of suspected members of a criminal group accused of extorting money from drivers, the website infohub.kz reports.
The ministry said it is taking comprehensive, ongoing measures to counter organized crime, extortion and other forms of criminal pressure on citizens and entrepreneurs. Particular attention is being paid to identifying individuals operating within criminal groups, establishing all those involved in illegal activity and shutting down their criminal schemes.
On September 23, police in Zhambyl Region, working with the regional Department of the National Security Committee, broke up the activities of a criminal group suspected of systematically extorting money from drivers of heavy trucks, passenger vehicles, cars and transit transport crossing through a border post in the region.
Twenty-seven searches were carried out. Bladed weapons, communications devices, a large sum of money and vehicles were seized.
The investigation is being conducted into extortion committed by a group of individuals. Authorities are currently establishing all the circumstances of the illegal activity, the role of each participant and possible additional episodes.