KUALA LUMPUR: Three wanted criminals, who were arrested in Mumbai, India, last Sunday, are believed to have arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
They were believed to have arrived at about 7am on Wednesday (Jan 28).
The trio, believed to be key members of the "Captain Praba" gang, were flown back to Malaysia on a commercial flight from Mumbai at around 1am local time under tight security escort by several Malaysian police officers.
They were escorted from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport following their detention by Indian authorities.
Upon arrival at KLIA, the suspects would havd been taken directly to the Sepang district police headquarters for documentation procedures before being produced at the Sepang Magistrate’s Court for further action.
It is learnt that the three men, who are on Interpol’s Red Notice list, will be placed under the highest level of security due to potential risks and threats arising from their arrest.
The suspects, believed to be in their 30s, were detained by Indian authorities at the Mumbai airport after turning violent upon arrival there last Sunday.
Investigations revealed that the trio had earlier been deported from Britain after immigration officers at Manchester Airport were alerted to their status as high-profile criminals and denied them entry.
Under international protocol, individuals denied entry must be returned to their last port of departure, resulting in their return to Mumbai.
Upon realising they were effectively cornered when their flight landed in Mumbai, the suspects allegedly became aggressive in an attempt to evade arrest.
Sources said the bold attack on security personnel stemmed from desperation, driven by the heavy pressure and consequences they anticipated upon being detained and handed over to Malaysian authorities.
The three men are believed to be among the main targets of “Ops Jack Sparrow”, a large-scale operation previously launched by Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
During the operation in September last year, police arrested 17 members of the organised crime group in several states.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail had said the arrests were carried out during an operation by the Bukit Aman CID on Sept 11 in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang and Perak.
The gang is believed to have been active since 2023, with a total membership of 33 individuals.
A suspect known as “Captain Praba” has been identified as the group’s leader.
All suspects, aged between 19 and 44, are believed to be involved in various violent crimes, including murder, armed assault, gang robbery and arson.
Initial investigations found that action against the gang was triggered by an attack in Taman Sentosa, Klang, early last year, where a man was assaulted by a group armed with firearms and machetes, as well as the murder of a man at a restaurant in Brickfields in mid last year, in addition to several other organised crime cases.
