Taskforce Maxima and JCTT extortion investigation
Detectives from Taskforce Maxima have issued a 31-year-old man with a Notice to Appear following investigations into the alleged extortion of a Brisbane café owner.
Police will allege a complaint was received from the owner of an inner city cafe that he was being threatened and extorted. The complaint centred on a demand for money which, if it was not paid, the offender would take his business from him and that the complainant would suffer personal violence.
It will be alleged the complainant paid $10,000 to the accused in an effort to meet the demands.
Subsequent investigations identified the alleged offender was also subject to a joint QPS – AFP terrorism investigation. Consequently, Taskforce Maxima investigators worked closely with the Joint Counter Terrorism Team as part of the investigation.
The 31-year-old Logan man was issued with a Notice to Appear on Tuesday for the offence of extortion, contrary to section 415 of the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment. He will appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court later this month.
Joint Counter Terrorism Team Coordinator Detective Superintendent Russel Smith said, this additional serious charge is the result of successful and continued cooperation between the AFP and QPS.
Taskforce Maxima Commander Detective Superintendent Michael Niland said, key to today’s results is not only the ongoing cooperation between all levels of law enforcement in tackling serious crime, it is the significant change in community confidence to make complaints such as this.
“The complainant came forward after seeing the success the QPS is having against those who prey on the vulnerable. It is this change which assists us in keeping the Queensland community safer,” Detective Superintendent Niland said.
