MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The Manchester police say five people have been charged in connection with an alleged extortion ring that has been targeting business operators in Manchester and Clarendon.

The matter is set for mention in the Manchester Parish Court today.

The accused are Sheila Smith, 62, and Beko March, 21, both of Freetown, Clarendon; Keeno Powell, 21, and Sandre Bogle, 20, both of Top Hill, Manchester; and Careba Salmon, 24, of a Mandeville address.

They are charged with extortion and conspiracy to extort.

Smith is believed to be one of the masterminds behind the alleged extortion ring.

With a combination of extortion letters handed over by members of the business community and those found during the course of the investigation, 79 extortion letters are reportedly in the possession of the Manchester police.

At the same time, business operators have been advised to check their mails properly because some of the letters might be disguised as job applications.

At a meeting with the security forces and the business community in the parish on Tuesday, the business operators were told to be careful and proactive, but not to be tempted to pay out any money to extortionists.

Territorial officer in charge of community safety and security for Manchester, Assistant Superintendent of Police Cherry Codner, said that doing so would be tantamount to losing the fight against the practice.

“Do not pay over any money, for those who receive extortion letters. Once you do, we would have lost the fight or you are weakening our capacity to win the fight,” she said.

— Alicia Sutherland