Total of six suspects remanded, including a couple said to be “up-and-coming” drug runners, until next Thursday.
- Young couple said to be “up-and-coming drug runners
- A “seasoned hand” in illicit drugs, 22-year-old suspect arrested and investigated multiple times since 2011
- Earlier this year, couple arrested for illegal gang activities
Updated: The latest statement released by the police as at 7.30pm today said that another seven suspects were nabbed, making a total of 13 people arrested so far. The seven, including three women, were detained in Singapore yesterday with the help of the Singapore Police Force. All the suspects are between 16 and 26 years old. Police are identifying more suspects to aid the murder investigation.
Four more suspects were picked up by police over the grisly murder of 44-year old moneylender, surnamed Tan and known as Ah Chiu, at a petrol station in Taman Pelangi, Johor Baru last Sunday.
The suspects, all male and in their 20s, were arrested by police during an operation around the state capital in the early hours of this morning.
This brings the total number of suspects nabbed to six, following the arrest of a 19-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man at a hotel in Butterworth, Penang yesterday.
The six were taken to the Johor Baru magistrate court at 9.45am today for a remand order to facilitate police investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
Magistrate Noor Aishah Ahmad issued a seven-day remand order extension on the six suspects which will end next Thursday.
Police were tight-lipped and few details of the suspects and case investigations were disclosed.
The Malay Mail reported that sources close to the investigation said police are looking into the reason the young couple were in Penang where they were arrested, including the possibility they were trying to escape the law.
The female is a 19-year-old Johorean while her 22-year-old boyfriend is from Seremban but was based in Johor Baru.
They were found in a room at a three-star hotel at Kampung Paya in Butterworth, Penang by an elite team from Bukit Aman’s Special Task Force On Organised Crime yesterday during a 2.30am raid.
After questioning at the Butterworth police station, they were taken back to Johor Baru to assist in investigations.
“Investigators are keen to know why they were in Penang as they are believed to be linked to a separate criminal case there.
“The couple, said to be ‘well-connected’ to Johor drug gangs, may be able to provide information on Tan’s murder,” a source was quoted as saying.
The young couple has been described as “up-and-coming” drug runners with deep ties to Johor drug gangs.
Despite his young age, the male suspect is believed to be a “seasoned hand” in Johor’s illicit drug scene and was active in Skudai, Taman Universiti, Nusa Bestari, Bukit Indah and parts of the city centre.
Checks revealed that he had been detained and was investigated seven times for drug-related offences in Johor since 2011.
The duo’s latest run-in with the law was this year, where they were both arrested for illegal gang activities.
Earlier reports:
Dec 21, JB Murder Victim Buried, Long Drug-Related Record
Dec 20, Two Held over JB Petrol Station Murder, Wake Shrouded in Mystery
Dec 19, JB Petrol Station Murder: Triad Boss Victim, Drug Dispute Motive
Dec 18, JB Petrol Station Murder: Body Claimed, Car Plate Possibly Forged
Dec 18, Police Refute Rumours of Arrests over Johor Petrol Station Murder