JASIN: Police have crippled a telecommunications cable theft syndicate in the state with the arrest of 13 individuals, including a woman, during a raid at the Merlimau Industrial Area here on Monday (Oct 13).
Melaka police chief Comm Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said the suspects, all locals aged between 21 and 47, were detained at about 6am.
He said they were caught red-handed cutting cables from a manhole while wearing reflective vests similar to those used by telecommunications company workers.
"During the inspection, the suspects failed to produce any documents or work orders from the telecommunications company,” Comm Dzulkhairi said at a press conference at the Jasin district police headquarters here on Wednesday (Oct 15).
He said initial investigations revealed that all the suspects were acting under the instructions of a man, believed to be the mastermind, who is still at large.
Comm Dzulkhairi said the syndicate was believed to have been active for the past two to three months, not only in Melaka but also in several other states.
"Each individual involved was paid according to their respective roles with total losses from the activity estimated at RM60,000,” he said.
Comm Dzulkhairi said five of the suspects tested positive for methamphetamine, and checks revealed that four had prior criminal and drug records.
He said police also seized several items believed to have been used in the activity, including an excavator rented for about RM500 a day, four cars, a four-wheel-drive vehicle and 167 cables.
"Also seized were seven reflective safety vests, two hard hats, a water suction machine, an electric generator, a chainsaw and five fake worker identification cards.
"All the suspects have been remanded for four days from Monday to assist in investigations under Section 379 of the Penal Code,” he said.- Bernama
