18 crime syndicate members nabbed under Poca

KUCHING: The police have arrested 18 members from six major crime syndicates here under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (Poca) so far this year.

Kuching District police chief ACP Abang Ahmad Abang Julai said Poca provides the police with 60 days to gather facts and information to tie the suspects to the crime(s) they were arrested for.

"Currently, six syndicates are under Poca, while one more syndicate is still in the process to be put under Poca," said Abang Ahmad told a press conference after the district's monthly parade yesterday.

He said the arrests have managed to help reduce the crime rate.

Among the syndicates were those involved in robbery, housebreakings, vehicle theft, motorcycle theft, and cable theft.

He pointed out that the motorcycle theft group known as ‘Geng Bachok' was uncovered with the arrest of 13 members, which led to the reduction of motorcycle theft cases here.

Under the ongoing 'Ops Lejang', the police have also formed a special taskforce leading to the recovery of stolen motorcycles, as well as the arrests of suspects riding or in possession of stolen machines.

"So far, about 45 per cent of crimes, including motorcycle thefts, have been solved in Kuching from January to May this year," said Abang Ahmad, who attributed the success to the close cooperation of all police sections.

During his speech, Abang Ahmad announced that Kuching District has confiscated various drugs worth over RM1.13 million this year.

He called on the public to provide the police with any information regarding housebreakings or other crimes.

"In terms of housebreaking cases, we are actually experiencing a decline as compared to last year. This is mostly due to the arrest of the syndicate members," said Abang Ahmad.