Cops going after gang leaders now

Police intensifies its effort nationwide in hunting down the gang leaders

SHAH ALAM: 24 members of the notorious 08 underworld syndicate have been arrested by Selangor police in the past one month said its police chief Mohd Shukri Dahlan.

During a press conference this morning, the newly appointed CPO added that police also arrested 4,797 suspected criminals for various offences and seized 593 dangerous articles from the suspects.

“From August 17 to September 16, we inspected 16,112 people and managed to detain 4,797 suspected criminals including a wanted gang leader from the infamous 08 gang,”

“During Ops Cantas, we seized various kinds of weapons such as machetes, knives, pistols (air gun) and including drugs,” Shukri said.

Meanwhile in another development, 106 individuals have been arrested under the Societies Act in Selangor since September 5 with 86 investigation papers opened.

“20 cases have been vetted by AG’s Chambers and we have opened 102 investigation papers. These 106 individuals are suspected gangsters. Initial investigation shows that majority of them have gang tattoos on their body,” Shukri said.

On the other hand, Bukit Aman Secret Societies Vice and Gambling Division principle assistant director Abdul Jalil Hassan said that 8,449 suspected gangsters have been arrested in a special Ops Cantas operation since it was launched on August 17.

According to Jalil, from the 8,449 suspects; 3,620 were Malays, 1,052 Chinese, 2,425 Indians and 1,352 others. A large number of weapons were also confiscated including a hand grenade and 23 firearms.

Jalil further highlighted that police would be focusing on the next step and that is to nab the kingpins inside the underworld syndicate.

“We seized 23 firearms, 10 handmade air guns, 11 bullet slugs and a hand grenade. Other than that, we also manage to get 25 swords, 81 machetes, 88 knives, 26 brass knuckles, and three fake pistols,”

“Our squad will now move to the next phase whereby we will be focusing in targeting the leaders of these illegal groups. We are also looking to seize their assets but only ill gotten assets,” he added.