Latest news with #MohdShuhaily
The Star
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Don't let power thieves profit
KUALA LUMPUR: About half a billion ringgit has been lost to electricity theft over the last four years, with the bulk of it from illegal crypto mining. Based on statistics provided by Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), Bukit Aman said there was substantial losses due to illegal cryptocurrency mining which requires a huge amount of computing power. 'Overall, TNB lost about RM520mil to electricity thefts. Most of the cases involved illegal crypto mining operations,' said Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain (pic). Five years ago, TNB lost RM9.2mil to power thieves, followed by RM140.6mil in 2021, RM124.9mil (2022), RM67.1mil (2023) and RM138.7mil last year. As of last month, it registered a RM40.1mil loss. Comm Mohd Shuhaily told The Star that crypto mining syndicates tend to operate from rented shop lots, warehouses or even residential homes. He said these criminals would often pick areas where foot traffic was low. To ensure continuity of their operations, he said the syndicates would run high-powered mining machines 24 hours a day, which generate intense heat and noise. 'Many syndicates would then install heavy duty ventilation systems, air conditioners and soundproofing materials to avoid drawing attention from the neighbours or enforcement authorities.' As for the power consumption, he said a common tactic used by syndicate members was to illegally bypass the electricity meter by tapping directly into the main power distribution board. 'This allows them to consume massive amounts of electricity – often equivalent to what an entire residential block would use. 'Some syndicates also employ technicians and electrical experts to ensure the illegal wiring is done. 'In more sophisticated setups, surveillance cameras and entry-control mechanisms are installed. And only their insiders are given access to the site,' Comm Mohd Shuhaily said. These syndicates, he said, were often on the move to avoid detection. 'They would shift their operations every few months to new premises,' he said. Rental agreements are typically made under false identities or using third-party intermediaries, making it harder to trace the individuals behind the activity, he added. Comm Mohd Shuhaily said the public should be alert to signs of suspicious activities in their neighbourhoods. 'Common indicators include buildings with heavy-duty ventilation systems operating non-stop, unusual humming or whirring sounds similar to industrial fans, or properties that appear unoccupied or underused but consistently have lights or cooling systems running at odd hours. 'In some cases, residents may notice frequent electrical work. 'If you come across such signs or suspect illegal electricity use, do not approach the site. Instead, report it to the nearest police station or contact TNB's hotline. 'Your information, no matter how small it may seem, could be crucial in uncovering illegal operations,' he said, adding that these reports would be confidential. Comm Mohd Shuhaily said there was intensified joint enforcement operations codenamed Ops Letrik in 2023 spearheaded by the CID's Intelligence, Operation and Records Division (D4). The division, led by principal assistant director Senior Asst Comm Noor Dellhan Yahaya, had focussed on illegal crypto-mining activities. 'There is also intelligence gathering, increased cooperation with local councils and TNB, and improved public awareness. 'Additionally, advancements in TNB's detection technology made it easier to identify and isolate suspicious consumption patterns,' he said. Since 2020, he said 2,488 raids had been conducted under Ops Letrik nationwide. 'We also seized 95,163 crypto-mining machines,' he said. Comm Mohd Shuhaily said that 918 people had been detained following the raids. Besides electricity theft caused by illegal crypto mining, he said other culprits included illegal factories and commercial premises which tampered with electricity meters. He said electricity thefts compromise the integrity and safety of the national power grid. 'Moreover, the illegal nature of these setups often makes enforcement and prosecution more challenging, as the premises may be vacated or operations shifted before authorities can act,' he said.
The Star
09-05-2025
- The Star
85 human trafficking victims rescued
Exploited labour: Some of the human trafficking victims rescued in Ops Pintas Mega. KUALA LUMPUR: Eighty-five individuals, including 17 children, believed to be victims of human trafficking and forced labour, were rescued following a massive operation. Some 175 others were detained in the special operation called Ops Pintas Mega, which was conducted by Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) division (D3) along with other enforcement agencies. The operation saw 36 raids conducted simultaneously nationwide on May 8. Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said those rescued were 58 men, 10 women, 16 boys and a girl. 'Some were locals while others were from the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Myanmar. Most of the victims were rescued from being victims of human trafficking for exploitation and forced labour,' he said when contacted yesterday. The raiding teams also detained 175 individuals, consisting of locals and foreigners during the special operation. 'The foreigners were from Thailand, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Myanmar, Nepal and China,' he said. 'The focus of the operation is to identify and rescue victims of human trafficking in the services and plantation sectors, as well as children exploited by begging syndicates. 'Our operation is based on the National Guideline on Human Trafficking Indicators (NGHTI) 2.0. We also aim to curb trafficking in persons in a holistic manner,' said Comm Mohd Shuhaily. The investigations are being conducted under Sections 12 and 14 of the Atipsom Act 2007, Section 55B and Section 6(1)(C) of the Immigration Act and Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963. 'Human trafficking is a very serious offence, and we will take stern action against any individual or criminal syndicate that is involved in such activities. 'We also urge the public to relay information on human trafficking offences to the nearest police station,' he said. The raids were jointly conducted with the Home Ministry, Immigration Department, Labour Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the National Anti-Trafficking Council.
The Star
09-05-2025
- The Star
Seventeen children among 85 rescued in nationwide anti-human trafficking operation
KUALA LUMPUR: Eighty-five individuals, including seventeen children, believed to be victims of human trafficking and forced labour, have been rescued in a massive nationwide operation. The operation, codenamed "Ops Pintas Mega", conducted by the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) anti-trafficking in persons and anti-smuggling of migrants division (D3) along with other enforcement agencies, saw 36 raids conducted simultaneously nationwide on Thursday (May 8). Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said victims rescued comprised 58 men, 10 women, 16 boys and a girl. "Some were locals while others were from the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Myanmar. "Most were victims of human trafficking for the purpose of exploitation and forced labour," he said on Friday (May 9). Also detained during the special operation were 175 suspects consisting of locals and foreigners. "The foreigners were from Thailand, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Myanmar, Nepal and China," he said. Comm Mohd Shuhaily said the operation aimed to identify and rescue victims of human trafficking in the services and plantation sectors as well as children exploited by begging syndicates. "Our operation is based on the National Guideline on Human Trafficking Indicators (NGHTI) 2.0," he added. Investigations are being conducted under Section 12 and 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007; Section 55B and Section 6(1)(C) of the Immigration Act and Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963, he said. Other government agencies involved in the operation were the Immigration Department, Environment Department, Labour Department and local authorities.
Malay Mail
06-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Three shot dead in police raid on 4x4 theft syndicate hideout in Kedah
KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — Police shot dead three men believed to be part of a four-wheel drive vehicle theft syndicate during a raid at a homestay in Taman Sejahtera, Sik, last Thursday. According to Sinar Harian, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the 2.30am raid followed intelligence on a syndicate stealing vehicles in Melaka, Selangor, Pahang, and Perak for cross-border smuggling. He said the three suspects, aged between 35 and 37, responded aggressively by firing shots at police and attacking with a machete. Police returned fire in self-defence, resulting in all suspects suffering fatal injuries at the scene. A subsequent search uncovered two pistols, several bullet casings and a machete believed to have been used by the suspects. Mohd Shuhaily said all three men were from Negeri Sembilan and had prior criminal records involving vehicle theft and drug-related offences. During the raid, police also found a Honda CR-V reported stolen in Petaling Jaya in April. A search of the vehicle revealed 26 fake licence plates and various tools used for car theft. The syndicate, active since 2023, is believed to be responsible for 73 cases of 4x4 vehicle theft, chosen for their ease of smuggling through illegal border routes. Later that same day, a joint operation involving Malaysian and Thai authorities in Songkhla led to the arrest of four Thai nationals believed to be vehicle couriers, while efforts continue to locate the syndicate leader and remaining members.
