Fed: Three under arrest over Panadol extortion

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2000
Fed: Three under arrest over Panadol extortion

Detectives in Brisbane have arrested three people over the long-running extortion attempt
against the makers of Herron and Panadol paracetamol tablets.

Police say they believe the extortion threats against the two companies are linked.

Police have also revealed a separate extortion threat accompanied by a ransom demand
was responsible for Panadol packets being placed behind the counter last month.

But they say the ransom demand was not followed through and there was no evidence that
packages in the market place had been tampered with.

Police raided houses in Brisbane earlier today and have more than 30 potential witnesses
still to interview.

SmithKline Beecham, the makers of Panadol, last month removed paracetamol products
to behind the counter after receiving a ransom demand.

AAP RTV sal/jw/jn

KEYWORD: PANADOL (SYDNEY)

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