KEPALA BATAS: Police have arrested four men who were impersonating as policemen to extort money from foreign workers in the area.
Active since October, they were known to patrol the area in a Honda City while looking for potential victims.
North Seberang Prai police chief Assistant Commissioner Noorzainy Mohd Noor said the suspects, aged between 19 and 36, were arrested by a team of policemen on Saturday during a crime prevention round at Taman Mersa near Butterworth.
"The team spotted the car at 11.30pm and managed to apprehend them." he said.
He said the police team also found a vest with the Royal Malaysian Police logo on it and a unit of walkie-talkie in the vehicle.
“They admitted to have been blackmailing foreign workers, mainly those without valid travel documents, while impersonating as policemen.
“So far, we believe they have extorted money from nearly 30 illegal immigrants around the state,"
“Three are from Negri Sembilan while the fourth suspect is from Perak.
"They are willing to travel so far and rent an accommodation here just to commit the crime." he said at the district police headquarters here today.
Noorzainy said all four have been remanded until tomorrow for investigation under Section 170 of the Penal Code.
He urged foreign workers who believed they have been blackmailed by the group to come forward and lodge a police report to assist police in the investigation.
On an unrelated case, Noorzainy said police have seized an air rifle from a 44-year-old man at a house in Kampung Setol here on Saturday.
He said also seized were a plastic case with 82 pieces of marbles and a can of beer used to operate the air rifle.
“The man claimed he was using the air rifle to shoot at animals trespassing on his ketum farm." he said.
He said the suspect has been remanded until tomorrow for further investigation under Section 36 of the Firearms Act 1960.