Penang cops on edge as notorious gangs team up

Penang cops on edge as notorious gangs team up

Penang police are on high alert following the merger of two of the state's most notorious gangs.

Police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi said they have learnt that Sio Sam Ong (Three Little Emperors) and Gang 24 were jointly involved in extortion and other crimes in the north-western Malaysian state, the Malay Mail Online reported.

"They have been on a terror rampage," he said, after officiating the state police's monthly gathering and oath-taking ceremony at the police headquarters on Friday.

"We will not condone such activities and have intensified the crackdown on the gangsters."

Mr Abdul Rahim had said last Monday that there were 12 active secret societies in the state, mostly involved in extortion and protection rackets.

They were also involved in drug-related activities.

He said these gangs have, over the years, recruited more than 8,000 members, including secondary school students.

Among the active secret societies in Penang are 04, 08, 24, 77, Phneah and Ang Kim Leng.

"These gangs are a nuisance and I am warning them not to create any problems," the police chief was quoted as saying.

He said the state police have arrested more than 6,300 people for various crimes since last August.

Of that, about 440 people were linked to secret societies, while 58 were investigated under the Prevention of Crimes Act.

Some 18 firearms, 920 bullets and 115 vehicles were seized during the same period, he said.


This article was first published on Oct 5, 2014.
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