‘Labu Besar’ gang charged

Facing charges: Seven of the eight members of Geng Adik Labu Besar were brought under heavy escort by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department to the Butterworth Court Complex. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

BUTTERWORTH: Eight people were charged in the Sessions Court here with being members of an organised crime group known as Geng Adik Labu Besar.

No plea was recorded from the accused – six men and two women – after the charges were read out before judge Roslan Hamid yesterday, as the case comes under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

The accused are Nur Alya Nadhira Che Hassan, 22, Nurul Natasha Mohammad Shukri, 23, Muhamad Samerin Shahrom, 35, Mohamed Aizat Rosmadi, 28, Aizal Abu Bakar, 23, Mohammad Zaini Yusoff, 27, Muhammad Azizi Abd Ghafar, 22 and Muhamad Fitri Abdul Karim, 31.

All are alleged to be members of Geng Adik Labu Besar between March and Oct 16 last year.

The alleged offence took place at Vista Perdana, Jalan Kampung Gajah, Butterworth.

Being detained under the Secu­­rity Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), the accused were charged under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum imprisonment term of 20 years upon conviction.

Including two women (right) who were charged for being members of an organised crime group. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

Defence counsel Manjit Singh Mann appeared for Nurul Natasha, while the other seven accused were unrepresented.

V. Suloshani and Maryam Jamielah Ab Manaf prosecuted.

During the proceedings, Sulo­shani said no bail could be offered to any of the accused as the case falls under Sosma, which is under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

She said the case must first be transferred to the High Court before bail can be considered for all the accused.

However, Manjit applied for bail to be set for his client.

Roslan subsequently ruled that such applications can only be made at the High Court.

“Regarding bail, this court cannot allow it. If there is any application (for bail), it can be made at the High Court later,” he said.

Roslan fixed May 4 for mention and the submission of documents at High Court.

It was reported that a burglary gang responsible for at least 42 cases involving losses of nearly RM1mil was dismantled by police in a special operation by the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Dep­­artment (CID) in collaboration with Penang police on Feb 15.

Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk M. Kumar had said that the operation targeted a criminal group actively involved in property crime, particularly house break-ins, around Penang.

The group is believed to have been active from 2024 until Octo­ber last year.

All those arrested have criminal records, including for armed robbery, housebreaking, theft carried out at buildings, vehicle theft, causing injuries, mischief, possession and disposal of stolen goods, as well as drug abuse.