JOHOR BARU: The police have crippled a car theft syndicate known as "Geng Siva" with the arrest of five men.
The men, locals in their 20s to 50s, were arrested between Oct 6 and Oct 7.
Johor Baru Utara police chief Assistant Commissioner Balveer Singh Mahindar Singh said the suspects were arrested in Skudai and Masai.
"We found that two of the suspects would be tasked with stealing cars and the rest would strip them for parts," he said in a statement today.
"The stolen car would then be disposed of as scrap metal."
Balveer said four of the five suspects have prior records for drug offences and other crimes. One of the suspects tested positive for drugs.
The suspects will be remanded for between two and seven days.
"We have also recorded the statements from the scrapyard owner and the workers believed to be involved in the case."
The case is being probed under Section 411 of the Penal Code for dishonestly receiving stolen property and Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act, a provision which deals with repeat offenders.