Cops coming down hard on Latino crooks

Task force set up to impose stricter checks on entry

PETALING JAYA: Selangor police are coming down hard on foreigners, especially Latin Americans, following a spate of crimes in the state.

State police chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Shukri Dahlan said a task force, comprising the police, Immigration Department, Customs Department and Malaysia Airline Holdings Berhad (MAHB), has been formed to impose stricter checks on the entry of foreigners.

While crimes involving Latinos such as Colombians, Costa Ricans and Peruvians have ceased in the last two weeks, SDCP Mohd Shukri said the gangs were lying low due to the focus on them.

“We recently had meetings with the other three agencies. It will be harder for Latinos to enter the country from now on,” he said yesterday.

He explained that Selangor police had already detained 12 Latinos this year for being involved in house breakins, petty thefts and cheating moneychangers, especially in Shah Alam, Seri Kembangan and Ampang.

“We arrested 28 Latinos involved mostly in house break-ins last year,” he said, adding that police intended to put an end to the gangs once and for all.

He noted that an inter-agency operation involving the other three agencies was also being planned.

“We recently had a meeting with the relevant agencies and realised that the problem is connected to foreigners especially Latinos.

“If the situation worsens, then the task force will forward a recommendation to limit the entry of those from Latin American countries,” he said.

On their modus operandi, he said the Latinos would enter Malaysia on social visit passes and escape to neighbouring countries when their permits expired.