Sungai petani: Police have detained five suspects, including a married couple believed to be members of the 'Geng Atan', who acted as runners for an illegal moneylending syndicate and were actively involved in criminal intimidation around Sungai Petani.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kedah Police Chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah stated that police received a report on April 16 from a 27-year-old man, who claimed that his vehicle parked in front of his house was set on fire after he failed to repay a loan obtained online. A series of raids and arrests were conducted starting April 26, leading to the arrest of four men and one woman aged between 31 and 43. Initial screening found all suspects were tested positive for drugs and had prior criminal records.
He further explained that investigations revealed all suspects acted as hired executors to carry out criminal acts such as delivering warning notes, splashing paint, and burning victims' vehicles. They received instructions from a 'mastermind' who is still at large. After receiving orders, they would carry out their respective tasks and were paid between RM300 and RM600 depending on the type of criminal act committed.
Adzli noted that the group, which has been active since February, was also found to have recruited other individuals, including drug addicts, to carry out these activities. The arrest of the five suspects has enabled them to solve 11 reported cases. The police are tracking down two more suspects believed to be members of the group, and the case is being investigated under various sections of the Moneylenders Act 1951, the Penal Code, and the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Adzli advised the public against borrowing from loan sharks, citing an example where a victim applied for a RM200 loan but only received RM150. Despite fully repaying the loan, the suspects continued to harass him, illustrating the consequences of such borrowings.
In an unrelated case, police arrested a 45-year-old local mechanic and seized firearms and ammunition in a raid at a vehicle repair premises in Baling on May 1. Preliminary investigations found that the suspect purchased the firearms from a friend in a neighboring country, while the air rifles were self-assembled. The suspect claimed that the firearms were for his personal collection. A urine test found the suspect positive for methamphetamine, and he has been remanded until Thursday for further investigations under the Firearms Act 1971 and the Arms Act 1960.