SEPANG — Selangor police have dismantled a cable theft syndicate operating for over a year near Kampung Desa Putra, arresting 16 suspects — including five police officers allegedly paid to leak confidential crime prevention details.

According to Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, the officers received RM1,000 to RM2,000 each. The syndicate made about RM683,000 by burning stolen cables to extract and sell the metal to a scrap yard in Semenyih. Profits were shared based on each member’s role.

The arrests followed raids between May 19 and 23, sparked by patrols discovering vehicles loaded with cables near an oil palm plantation. Eight suspects were initially caught, with more apprehended in the following days. Seized items included cable extraction tools and transport vehicles.

Among those arrested were three corporals, two sergeants, and two contractors from a utility company who allegedly helped the syndicate bypass detection systems.

Hussein reminded the public that cable theft is a serious crime that endangers safety and infrastructure, urging vigilance and prompt reporting of suspicious activities.