Cops deal crime a crippling blow since Ops Cantas Khas launch
PETALING JAYA: There has been a more than 90% drop in robbery with firearms in the country since Ops Cantas Khas was launched, say police.
According to Bukit Aman’s principal assistant director of the Secret Societies, Vice and Gambling Division (D7) Senior Asst Comm Datuk Abdul Jalil Hassan, there has been a decrease in crime across the board since the launch of the operations on Aug 17.
“In the last 36 days (from Aug 17 to Sept 22), serious crime has gone down by 12.48% with murder cases lowered by 33.78%, gang robbery decreased by 23.58% and robbery dipped by 26% compared to the similar number of days between July 12 and Aug 16.
“A total of 23 pieces of firearms, 14 home-made air rifles, 1,238 bullets, a hand-grenade and 445 stolen vehicles were recovered from Aug 17 until Sept 22.
“We also arrested 10,695 people for various offences, including extortion, armed robbery, vehicle theft and involvement in secret societies,” he said, adding that so far, police had screened 267,496 people and 158,556 vehicles.
SAC Abdul Jalil said among the recovered vehicles were 198 cars and 215 motorcycles.
“Four fake guns, 27 swords, 105 parang, 116 knives and 29 knuckle dusters were also seized,” he added.
He said that on Saturday alone, police checked 16,951 people and 7,872 vehicles, resulting in the arrest of 407 people.
“We seized a home-made air rifle and five bullets from one suspect.
“Eight stolen motorcycles and three stolen cars were also recovered on Saturday,” he added.
Ops Cantas Khas was launched following a spate of shootings in the country, believed to be related to turf war among gangs linked to illegal activities such as drug trafficking and extortion.
Phase 1 of the operations was targeted at tracking and seizing weapons, especially guns, from gang members.
The current Phase 2 involves cracking down on members of the 49 gangster organisations that have been declared illegal.
Phase 3, on the other hand will see police going after the underworld kingpins and seizing their assets.
This phase is expected to begin soon.
SAC Abdul Jalil urged those with information on secret societies to contact the police at 03-2266 3333 or 03-2031 9999 or visit the nearest police station.
THE STAR
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