The crime branch of the Mumbai police have arrested four members of a gang, including a former CISF officer, who allegedly extorted money from businesspersons and hoteliers posing as anti-narcotic cops. The accused have been identified as Deepak Jadhav, the former Central Industrial Security Force officer, Dilip Manjulkar, Rustom Shah and Sachin Malhotra. Two other suspects are absconding, said officers from Unit 09 of the crime branch.

The accused, carrying fake ID cards of the Anti-Narcotics Cell, would approach their targets with small drug pouches, take them in an auto to a police station and demand money to release them, said cops. A man who runs a stationery business had filed a case at Versova police station, which transferred the case to the crime branch. In the complainant’s case, the gang allegedly demanded Rs 50 lakh from him, but settled at Rs 20 lakh for which he gave them a cheque. The accused took the cheque to a bank to withdraw cash, but were asked to return in two days.