You're reading: Poland’s police arrest 42, including football fans

WARSAW — Poland's police say they have arrested 42 members of gangs of extortionists and drug smugglers.

The arrests in Warsaw and across Poland come less than two weeks before the Euro 2012 football championships kick off in Warsaw June 8.

The police said in a communique on its website on May 28 that prosecutors are preparing to question those arrested, some of whom are suspected of taking part in extortion at gunpoint and in violence by fans of home league football clubs.

Poland co-hosts Euro 2012 with neighboring Ukraine and is stepping up security ahead of the tournament, which runs through July 1.