Cape Town – Alleged ringleader of a human trafficking syndicate that operates between South Africa and several Asian countries, Mohammed Dilpazeer Azam, was reportedly arrested in Centurion, Johannesburg this week, while ten Bangladesh nationals were rescued.
According to Times Live, the South African Police Services (SAPS) received reports of kidnappings of foreigners entering South Africa.
As a result, detectives from the SAPS national head office’s serious organised crime unit established a working relationship with crime intelligence agents to track down the perpetrator(s).
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Following an extensive investigation, the police pursued information on cellphone devices that Azam allegedly used to make ransom calls to the families of his alleged captives in Bangladesh.
The information led them to Centurion, where they apprehended the alleged kingpin.
IOL reported that he appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court facing kidnapping and extortion charges.
“The suspect first appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on 8 February, 2022 where his case was transferred to the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the suspect was making calls to the families of the victims demanding ransom,” the report quoted Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Robert Netshiunda as saying.
The suspect will be back in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on February 17, 2022 where he will make a formal bid for bail.
Police investigations are continuing and more arrests are imminent, the report said.
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