PC arrests 6 suspects of extortion with 'crime fee' for entrepreneurs in Barcarena
The Civil Police seized drugs, ammunition, cell phones, and cash, and the suspects will face charges for criminal association and drug trafficking
Five men and one woman were arrested by the Civil Police of Pará during Operation "Parasite of the Count" on the morning of this Friday (9) in Vila do Conde, located in the municipality of Barcarena. The action executed three temporary arrest warrants and 12 search and seizure warrants against suspects of extorting local entrepreneurs by charging the so-called "crime fee."
"The suspects operated by threatening local merchants and entrepreneurs with intense force, and if the amounts they demanded were not paid, the victims were threatened with firearms and organized robberies carried out by the suspects themselves. The amounts charged ranged from R$ 200.00 to R$ 500.00 monthly," reported delegate Mhoab Khayan, head of the Regional Superintendence of Baixo Tocantins.
The Civil Police reports that the operation was the result of meticulous investigative work carried out by the civil police of the Vila dos Cabanos Police Station, following the registration of several police reports made by the victims. The individuals reported that the extortions were carried out by members of a criminal faction.
According to the investigations, the group systematically demanded money for the "protection fee." A businessman from the region denied paying the amounts demanded and suffered a loss of about R$ 12,000 at his commercial establishment. Products were stolen from the store during a robbery ordered by the suspects.
According to the PC, several packages of cocaine, crack, and marijuana, as well as blocks of marijuana and stones of cocaine, were found and seized from the suspects. One arrested individual also carried packages of cocaine, marijuana, a block of the same substance, and ammunition of calibers .40 and .38.
"For this reason, all those arrested were also charged in flagrant for drug trafficking and association for trafficking, with one of them also receiving a flagrant arrest for possession of ammunition. The operations were carried out simultaneously at 12 different addresses, including the residences of the main suspects and locations used for drug trafficking. Cell phones containing messages with threats and records of the extortions were also seized, as well as the amount of R$ 1,320.00, possibly derived from drug trafficking and extortions," detailed the superintendent.
About 50 police officers participated in the action coordinated by the Vila dos Cabanos Police Station, with operational support from agents of the Acará, Abaetetuba, Igarapé-Miri, and Barcarena Police Stations. The Homicide Police Station of Abaetetuba and the Investigation Support Center (NAI) of Abaetetuba also participated.
"The integration of the units that make up the Regional Superintendence of Baixo Tocantins is of fundamental importance for combating any criminal act that may occur in the region. The arrest of these suspects is the effective response that the PCPA gives to merchants, entrepreneurs, and the general population. We will continue with preventive and repressive actions to provide the tranquility that the population needs," emphasized delegate Hennison Jacob, from the Interior Police Directorate (DPI).
Operation Parasite of the Count - The name of the operation refers to the extortion practice exercised by the criminal organization, which charged resources from local businesses to finance other illegal activities, acting as a true social parasite.
The investigations also pointed to other suspects involved in the criminal scheme, responsible for passing information about commercial establishments to the criminal faction and for trafficking in the region.
The seized material will be sent for forensic examination, and the arrested individuals will remain at the disposal of the Justice. The Civil Police emphasizes the importance of reports from victims to effectively combat this type of crime. Any information can be provided anonymously and free of charge through the Disque-Denúncia, at the number 181. Confidentiality is guaranteed.
