JOHOR BARU: Police here detained 21 individuals under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (POCA) following two operations on Wednesday.
Johor police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said in the first operation, five men aged between 21 and 68 were detained under Section 3(1) of POCA .
"The suspects are members of 'Geng Gemok Bendahara' who are involved in the theft of electrical cables and batteries in Kota Tinggi.
"The gang is believed to have been active since Dec 2019 and their modus operandi involves targeting unguarded substations in areas such as oil palm plantations," said Ayob Khan.
Police also seized various items worth about RM15,000 during the operation.
"We have also taken action under POCA against 16 individuals, comprising three locals and 13 Indonesians, who were detained under Section 4(1)(c) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953," said Ayob Khan.
He said the suspects, aged between 19 and 37, were arrested in Iskandar Puteri for operating a gambling call centre.
"Of the suspects, 13 have been detained at the Special Rehabilitation Centre in Simpang Renggam while three have been put under observation," said Ayob Khan.
For the period between Jan and March 11, Johor police have taken action under POCA against 99 individuals while in 2019, a total of 261 individuals have been detained under the Act.
"These actions are part of our efforts to reduce the crime rate in Johor. We will continue to take effective preventive measures to control the crime rate and prevent anything that threatens public safety in the state," said Ayob Khan.