KOTA KINABALU: Sabah police arrested 520 individuals in a massive joint operation to weed out criminal elements at one of the biggest settlements for immigrants in the state.
Six of those arrested, including a woman, were nabbed for investigation under the Security Offences (Special Measure) Act 2012.
State police commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said the six, aged between 19 and 50, were suspected to be informers to foreign criminals.
"We will look into all aspects, including the possibilities that they have links with kidnap for ransom groups as well as the Lahad Datu intrusion in 2013."
He was speaking to reporters during a press conference at the State police headquarters in Kepayan.
Also present were 5th Brigade Commander Brigadier-General Datuk Anuar Rijaluddin and Task Force 450 Commander Major-General Datuk Zulkapri Rahmat.
The joint operation involving police, army, the immigration department, and other enforcement agencies started at 1am.
A total of 1,537 houses raided and 4,794 people screened.
Abdul Rashid said security forces would continue to monitor other settlement areas, adding that the operation was still ongoing.