ALOR STAR: The leader of 'Geng Pak Su', Johari Ariffin, 35, and his three henchmen claimed trial at the Sessions Court here today to charges of taking part in an organised crime activity since two years ago.
Besides Johari, the other three men slapped with the charges today are Norazif Ahmad, 37, Shahadan Salim, 38 and Rosidi Aziz, 35.
The quartet were charged under and Section 130V (1) of Penal Code, (Act 574) and are looking at up to a 20-years maximum jail term, if convicted.
The are charged with being involved in an organised crime 'Geng Pak Su' between Jan 1, 2015 and Aug 30.
The gang allegedly actively involved in Malaysia-Thai cross border smuggling activities for years.
The quartet was charged separately before Judge Azman Abu Hassan while Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Izhanudin Alias.
Lawyer Jay Moy Wei Jiun represented Johari, Shahadan and Rosidi while Norazif was represented by lawyer Faisal Rahman.
All the accused were denied as the offence is non-bailable and the court fixed Oct 26 for mention date.
Earlier, the quartet were taken to the Alor Star Courts Complex under heavily armed policemen.
Present was Kedah Criminal Investigation Department chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Mior Farid Al Atrash Wahid.
Johari was among the nine men previously detained to facilitate investigation into the murder of a Federal police sub-inspector,
Abu Hashim Ismail, 54, in August.
The detective was shot dead from behind by a suspected hired killer from behind, at Johari's house in Taman Sri Hosba, Changlun.
Johari and the suspects were subsequently detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) after their remand order for the murder probes ended.
Meanwhile, Mior Farid said the probe into Abu Hashim's murder is still ongoing although four of the suspects have been charged for involvement in triad activity today.
He hinted that more members of Gang Pak Su to be slapped with similar charge soon as the police continue their crackdown against cross-border smuggling activity.