Penang police have dismantled an armed robbery syndicate following the arrest of nine individuals linked to the theft of gold worth RM3.6 million in a series of coordinated raids under Op Jingga D Garden.
State police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said the operations, carried out from March 26 until yesterday, involved officers from the Penang Contingent Police Headquarters’ Criminal Investigation Department, together with personnel from the Seberang Perai Utara district police.
He said multiple raids were conducted across the Barat Daya and Timur Laut districts, resulting in the arrest of seven local men and two Indonesian women aged between 23 and 43.
Authorities also seized about 4.3 kilogrammes of gold jewellery, a machete, four tyres with sports rims and two vehicles believed to have been used during the robberies.
Preliminary investigations found that the group specifically targeted individuals transporting jewellery for delivery or transactions at gold shops around Penang, suggesting a coordinated and premeditated operation.
Police believe the arrests have solved a major robbery case reported on March 26 in Seberang Perai Utara involving the loss of over 6 kilogrammes of gold jewellery valued at RM3.6 million.
Datuk Azizee also revealed that several suspects have serious criminal histories, including one with 17 prior offences and another drug-related case, while three tested positive for methamphetamine.
He added that efforts are ongoing to track down remaining members of the syndicate who are still at large, with investigations continuing under Sections 395, 397 and 109 of the Penal Code.
All suspects have been remanded to assist investigations, while police have urged the public to avoid speculation that could disrupt ongoing probes or cause unnecessary alarm.
