IPOH: Police believe they have crippled the organised crime group "Gang 04" which was also responsible for murdering a businesswoman with a 'Datin Seri' title two years ago.
A total of 36 group leaders aged between 20 and 60, including a 'Datuk' who received the title from a neighbouring country, was arrested during a special operation called Ops Cantas Silver on Jan 27.
Perak police chief Datuk Hasnan Hassan said 26 of them were picked up in the state, Selangor, Melaka and Johor, while 10 others were arrested in a special operation while in prisons in Pokok Sena, Kedah; Sungai Udang, Melaka; Batu Gajah and Taiping in Perak.
"Police also seized various items including cash, jewellery, property and vehicles worth RM4.54 million.
"The operation was conducted by the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Bukit Aman CID and Inspector General of Police's Anti-Money Laundering Investigation team.
"The operation was carried out following a series of serious criminal activities including murder, theft, arson and drug trafficking. The group has been active for the last 10 years," he said in a press conference today.
Hasnan said besides murdering the Datin Seri and causing injury to her eight-year-old daughter near a restaurant in Brickfields on July 6, 2016, the group members were also involved in a murder in Bagan Datuk, burning of a house in Sungai Siput and two shooting cases here.
"They are currently remanded for 28 days, beginning Jan 27 and investigated under Section 4(5) of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA).
"We have completed investigations and the Attorney- General's Chambers has agreed to charge them at Ipoh Sessions Court here tomorrow under Section 130V of the Penal Code for being members of an organised criminal group," he said.
Hasnan said under this section not all of them would be granted bail, and upon conviction they were liable for maximum 20 years' jail.
"We are still tracking down another 10 members of this group who are on the loose. We are also working closely with Interpol to track them down should they escaped to a foreign country," he added.
The Gang 04 members are also being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001.