KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept 24, 2025 – Malaysian police have smashed two organized crime rings in a sweeping operation dubbed “Op Jack Sparrow,” arresting 15 suspects and seizing assets worth over RM2 million in drugs, cash, and luxury vehicles.
The coordinated raids, launched early Wednesday across Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, targeted syndicates involved in drug trafficking and extortion, according to a statement from the Federal Police’s Anti-Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN).
In the first takedown, a seven-member gang specializing in methamphetamine distribution was apprehended in a Petaling Jaya warehouse. Authorities recovered 50 kilograms of syabu (methamphetamine), valued at RM1.8 million, along with packaging equipment and three high-end sedans believed to be used for smuggling. The group’s leader, a 42-year-old former logistics worker with prior convictions, allegedly coordinated shipments from neighboring countries via hidden compartments in cargo vehicles.
Simultaneously, an eight-person extortion network operating in low-income neighborhoods was busted in Shah Alam. This crew, which preyed on small business owners through threats and loan sharking, yielded RM250,000 in undeclared cash, forged documents, and weapons including machetes and air guns. Police described the operation as “meticulous and intelligence-driven,” spanning three months of surveillance.
“These syndicates thought they were untouchable, hiding behind layers of runners and fake identities,” said JSJN Director Datuk Ramli Mohamed Yusoff during a press briefing. “Op Jack Sparrow proves that no one is above the law. We’re sending a clear message: Crime doesn’t pay, and we’ll keep the pressure on.”
All suspects, aged 25 to 55 and including three foreign nationals, are remanded for seven days. Investigations revealed links between the groups, including shared money-laundering channels. No injuries were reported, and authorities are probing potential ties to larger regional networks.
This crackdown follows a spike in organized crime reports, with police vowing to intensify similar operations nationwide. Community leaders hailed the effort as a “vital blow” to urban safety threats.