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POLICE in Penang have arrested nine individuals, including two Indonesian women, in connection with an armed gang robbery that targeted jewellery couriers, marking a significant breakthrough in a high-value heist case.
Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said the suspects, aged between 23 and 43, were detained during a series of coordinated raids conducted between March 26 and Thursday under an operation codenamed Op Jingga D Garden.
The operation, led by the state Criminal Investigation Department with support from district-level units, involved raids at multiple locations across the Barat Daya and Timur Laut districts.
“Police seized various items including approximately 4.3 kilogrammes of jewellery, a parang, four tyres with alloy rims, three rings and two vehicles believed to have been used in the crime.
“Initial investigations found that the suspects targeted salespersons transporting jewellery for delivery or transactions at gold shops around Penang.
“With these arrests, police have solved a gang robbery case reported on March 26 in Seberang Perai Utara, involving 6,023.69 grammes of jewellery estimated to be worth RM3.6 million,” he said in a statement.
Authorities revealed that eight of the suspects have been remanded, while an application for the remaining individual is expected to be filed.
Background checks indicated that several suspects have prior criminal and drug-related records, while others had no previous offences.
Drug screening also found that three suspects tested positive for methamphetamine.
The case is being investigated under Sections 395, 397 and 109 of the Penal Code, covering gang robbery, armed robbery and abetment, which carry severe penalties including imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
Police are continuing efforts to track down additional suspects believed to still be at large. - April 3, 2026
