Labuan: Labuan police have reported at least 12 cases of cable theft affecting Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) from July 2024 to January 2025, resulting in losses amounting to RM88,290.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Labuan police chief, Supt. Mohd Hamizi Halim stated that a Toyota Harrier worth RM40,000, believed to have been used in the cable theft operations, had been seized. The thefts were orchestrated by five gangs, some of whose members are repeat offenders and drug-positive individuals. The gangs comprise 11 unemployed individuals, aged between their 20s and 53 years old, all of whom have prior criminal records and drug-related cases. Police are still searching for five more gang members who remain at large. Although the number of cable theft cases has slightly increased compared to 2023, the situation remains under control. Efforts to combat this crime include close monitoring of trends and collaboration with scrap metal business operators.
Some suspects have already been charged in court, while others will face charges under various laws, including Section 18(e) of the Sabah Minor Offences Ordinance, Section 414 of the Penal Code (read with Section 34), Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, and the Immigration Act 1959/63.
In a separate development, Mohd Hamizi disclosed that in 2024, 533 individuals have been arrested in Labuan for drug-related offences. Among them, 27 were arrested for supplying methamphetamine (Syabu), with six investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, 20 under Section 39A(1), and one under Section 39A(2). Additionally, 425 individuals were arrested under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, with 14 charged under Section 39C for repeat offences. Two individuals have also been subjected to the Special Preventive Measures (LPPK) 1985.
Mohd Hamizi emphasized that patrols at drug hotspots and entry points to the island will be intensified to curb the inflow of drug supplies. He reiterated the commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Labuan by addressing both cable theft and drug-related crimes effectively. The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to assist in ongoing efforts to combat crime on the island.