S’wak police bust gang linked to violent crimes such as extortion, armed rioting, arson

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By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, May 15: The police have busted an organised crime group believed to have been involved in violent crimes across Sarawak since 2020 in an operation carried out by Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Sarawak police

In a statement, CID director M. Kumar said that the operation—Op Pusak Merah—that was carried out from April 19–23, resulted in the arrest of 23 men aged between 19 and 44 who are repeat offenders with records of offences such as arson, assault, extortion, housebreaking, theft, making false reports, illegal gambling activities, and drug trafficking.

Also seized in the operation were a pump gun, several rounds of ammunition, two samurai swords, and two machetes.

Among the criminal acts carried out by the group—led by a 41-year-old local man—include robbery causing injury, arson, extortion, armed rioting, and causing serious injuries.

With this arrest, the police have solved approximately 25 cases.

The modus operandi of the group was to carry out extortion activities for the purpose of obtaining protection money, carrying out attacks on premises that failed to pay protection money, threatening or injuring those who refused to follow their demands, and conducting serious offences to expand their influence and obtain material benefits for the group.

“The suspects have been remanded under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 until May 18,” he said.

He added that the police have identified three more members of the group who are still at large, and that efforts to track them down were ongoing.

The suspects are expected to be charged under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code with being members of an organised crime group, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years upon conviction.

All members are expected to be charged in the Kuching Sessions Court today. — DayakDaily