KUALA LUMPUR: A syndicate believed to have stolen at least 18 bonded lorries in Selangor, Johor, Melaka and Kuala Lumpur has been crippled.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Comm Datuk M. Kumar said seven local men, aged from 32 to 48 were arrested in separate raids conducted in Penang and Kuala Lumpur from June 22-28 under an operation codenamed Ops Lejang Lori Bonded.
"The operation followed four months of intelligence gathering from March to June. All seven suspects have been remanded," he said in a statement on Wednesday (July 1).
Initial investigations revealed that one of the suspects is believed to be the mastermind who recruited thieves, arranged illegal storage facilities, mechanics, transporters and buyers of stolen truck parts, he said.
"We believe the syndicate was involved in about 18 lorry thefts reported in Johor, Melaka, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, causing estimated losses of RM1.23mil.
"We seized various items including several lorries, a motorcycle, a car, oxy-fuel cutting equipment, a signal jammer, two lorry axles, a steering box, as well as company documents and receipts linked to the syndicate's activities.
"The total value of the seized items is estimated at RM400,000," he added.
Comm Kumar said the syndicate operated by accepting orders from workshop owners before instructing vehicle thieves to steal specific models of lorries.
"The stolen lorries would then be taken to illegal workshops to be dismantled. The parts and truck cabins were sold separately below market value, with advertisements placed on social media," he said.
Investigators also found that members of the syndicate were paid between RM15,000 and RM18,000 for each lorry successfully stolen, depending on the model.
So far, police have frozen 13 bank accounts containing RM280,836.10, he said.
Comm Kumar advised lorry owners and logistics companies to ensure their vehicles are fitted with functioning GPS tracking security systems and parked in secure locations.
He also reminded workshop operators not to purchase vehicle components without valid ownership documents or those offered at suspiciously low prices, warning that doing so could expose them to criminal prosecution.
