JPJ and cops put the brakes on 'Tonto' groups
PUTRAJAYA: Several "Tonto" syndicates based in Perak, Selangor and Negri Sembilan have been crippled with the arrest of their masterminds in a joint operation by the Road Transport Department and police.
Tontos act as informers engaged by illegal lorry operators who monitor the movement of enforcement officers out to nab them.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the "Ops Cantas Khas Tonto", which began on April 26, was the result of three months of planning and intelligence by the two agencies.
"The operation was a collaboration between JPJ's special action team and the D7 secret societies unit of the police under the National Blue Ocean Strategy.
"The collaboration saw the successful arrest of 15 individuals, believed to be masterminds of these Tonto syndicates, and the seizure of 13 vehicles used by them.
"All have been arrested and charged under the Criminal Procedure Code and the Prevention of Crime Act.
"The operation was launched to battle and cripple Tonto syndicates that have become a threat to public safety. These syndicates protect lorry operators who commit offences such as overloading, and act as informers so the lorries can avoid being caught by enforcement agencies," said Liow at a press conference here on Tuesday.
Liow said the lorries are unlicensed and do not pay road tax, which costs the Government around RM12mil in unpaid taxes.
"The Government also has to spend RM100mil every year to repair roads that are damaged by these lorries," he said.
Also present at the press conference were CID director Datuk Seri Mohmad Salleh and JPJ director-general Datuk Seri Ismail Ahmad.
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