Kazakh law enforcement agencies have detained members of an organized criminal group in Astana and Almaty, uncovering a series of serious and especially grave crimes.

The suspects are believed to have been involved in kidnappings, extortion, and the deliberate destruction of property. Investigators say that in one incident in Almaty, the group abducted a local resident and, using violence, demanded 12 million tenge ($24,168), The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

Police also reported cases of pressure and intimidation against business owners. To instill fear, the suspects set fire to vehicles belonging to entrepreneurs.

As part of a large-scale operation, officers carried out more than 20 searches, seizing significant amounts of cash, cold weapons, and other material evidence linked to the criminal activity.

“Six individuals have been placed in a temporary detention facility. Investigative and operational measures are ongoing,” the Interior Ministry said.