OP SHADOW: POLICE SMASH PENANG HOUSEBREAKING SYNDICATE, EIGHT TO BE CHARGED TOMORROW

KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) busted a housebreaking syndicate comprising eight local men with losses estimated at close to RM1 million in a special operation known as 'Op Shadow' in Penang, in the middle of last month.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M Kumar said following the operation, all eight suspects aged between 22 and 35 years will be charged at the Butterworth Sessions Court, Penang, tomorrow.

He said they will be charged under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code for being members of an organised criminal group which provides for a jail sentence of not less than five years and a maximum of 20 years, if convicted.

"In a special operation conducted on Feb 15, five suspects were arrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA).

"Three more suspects have been identified and are currently serving their sentences at Jawi Prison, Penang and Alor Setar Prison, Kedah for other offences," he said in a statement today.

Kumar said the syndicate led by a 27-year-old man was believed to have been actively carrying out housebreaking activities since early 2024 until October 2025, and was involved in at least 42 cases around the state.

According to him, the modus operandi of the repeat offender group was to target houses in gated and security-controlled luxury residential areas, as well as ordinary residential areas.

"This group would search and steal valuable items that were easily disposed of such as jewellery, electronic items and cash to jointly obtain material benefits," he said.

He said the review found that all the suspect has a variety of criminal records including gang robbery, housebreaking, vehicle theft, causing injury, mischief and testing positive for drugs.

He said the arrest of all members of the group has successfully solved 42 housebreaking cases and completely crippled the syndicate.

"PDRM stresses its continued commitment to defeating any form of organised crime group through integrated operations, intelligence and law enforcement, and will take firm action without compromise to ensure public safety and well-being," he said.

-- BERNAMA