Rangers and police have arrested two suspected extortionists following a joint intelligence-based operation in the New Karachi area, one of whom is allegedly involved in sending illicit funds abroad through an illegal money transfer system.
A spokesperson for the Sindh Rangers confirmed on Monday that the paramilitary force, in collaboration with the SIU police, has taken Muhammad Areeb alias Mushtaq and Muzammil into custody acting on a tip-off about their involvement in extortion.
According to the statement, Muhammad Areeb belongs to a criminal organization run by notorious extortion mafia ringleaders Usama Jameel and Abdul Samad Kathiawari. He, along with his accomplices Manaz alias Mani and Asghar, was responsible for collecting extortion money from shopkeepers and other business owners.
Areeb’s alleged accomplices, Manaz and Asghar, have already been arrested and are currently imprisoned. Following their custody, Areeb went into hiding at various locations across the city to evade arrest.
The second suspect, Muzammil, is reported to be a close associate of another extortion ringleader, Bahadur PMT. Muzammil and his associates were tasked by Bahadur PTM with collecting extortion money from various business owners and transferring the proceeds internationally using the Hawala/Hundi network.
Both detainees have been handed over to the police for further legal proceedings. Law enforcement agencies are conducting raids to apprehend the remaining members of these criminal networks.
The authorities have appealed to the public to help in curbing crime by reporting any information about such criminal elements. Citizens can contact the nearest Rangers check post, use the Rangers Helpline 1101, or call or send an SMS to the Rangers Madadgar WhatsApp number 03479001111, with the assurance that their identity will be kept confidential.