By BEBOSHINI UNNI AND LIYANA JAMALUDIN | news@nst.com.my 0 comments


INTERPOL AID: Some vehicles recovered in Singapore

Selangor police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah showing how the stolen 4WDs are double-stacked in a container for transport to the Middle East via neighbouring countries. Bernama pic
1 / 1
SUBANG JAYA: A SYNDICATE formed in March, stole and smuggled out 64 4WDs worth RM8 million to Thailand and Singapore in less than three months.
Police, however, intercepted the syndicate's latest shipment when they seized two containers with six vehicles destined for the same countries.
The breakthrough came last Thursday when police arrested five men who were driving a stolen vehicle in Kampung Baru Subang.
Selangor police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah said the Toyota Hilux had been fitted with false registration plates.
"The suspects were found to be using an abandoned furniture factory in the area as their storage centre for the stolen vehicles.
"The six 4WDs were kept inside two containers in the factory. They were believed to be on their way to Singapore and Thailand," Tun Hisan said.
The syndicate was believed to have targeted popular makes like the Mitsubishi Triton, Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger.
The majority of the stolen vehicles were less than a year old as the syndicate only targeted newly registered vehicles.
It was learnt that the syndicate was responsible for more than 70 reported cases of stolen 4WDs in the Klang Valley in the last three months.
"Initial investigations revealed that the syndicate had exported at least 18 shipments abroad although only 13 have been identified thus far," Tun Hisan said.
Three containers bearing six Toyota Hilux were shipped to Singapore on May 21 but it was detained by authorities there.
The five suspects, aged between 21 and 31, tested positive for drug abuse. Four of them had previous convictions for various offences.
A shipping company based in Sentul is also being probed by police as they were responsible for handling the syndicate's shipments abroad.
Tun Hisan also revealed that Interpol had assisted in recovering nine stolen Toyota Hilux from Singapore.
He added that the syndicate catered to demand from the Middle East for pick-up vehicles, shipping the stolen merchandise out as soon as possible.


Read more: Gang that stole 64 vehicles held - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/gang-...9#ixzz1wFBlurPR