Police are still probing the spate of fatal shootings in the state but it is believed that most of the cases are linked to a gangland turf war for control of the drug trade and vice activities.
In spite of efforts by the authorities to cut off supply, gangs have been raking in profits from drugs through well established networks here.
“Police are probing several gangs involved in the drug trade in Seremban, Bahau, Nilai and Port Dickson.
“They are also investigating some people who used to live from hand to mouth but are now living lavish lifestyles,” said one source.
He said several new gangs had also emerged in recent years, adding that Gang 18 and Gang 36 which had been around since the 1970s were two of the most active in the state.
“Gang 18 is made up mostly of Chinese and Indians, while 36, once active in Malay-majority areas such as Ampangan and Senawang is now dominated by Indians,” he said.
Members of both gangs had shown their “might” by bringing traffic to a halt during the funeral processions of their leaders and on occasions, even replaced the registration plates of their vehicles with their gang numbers in a blatant show of strength.
“About two years ago, traffic was brought to a standstill for several minutes during the funeral procession of one gang leader. Besides marking respect for their leaders, such displays also signify a show of power and warning to other gangs to stay away from the area,” he added.
The source said after the series of recent shootings here, several known members of gangs who had police records, had gone into hiding.
He said other gangs active in the urban areas were 77, mostly made up of Malay youths, Gang 24, whose membership is both Chinese and Indian and Gang 44, predominantly controlled by Indians.
“There is also the Kao lok kao (969) gang active in the Rahang area and 08, which also has Chinese and Indians as members,” he said, adding that among the smaller gangs were 21 and Five Colours.
He said the gang rivalry was mainly related to drug distribution and casualties could be expected with the gangs trying to impose their control in certain areas.
He said the drug market was so lucrative that members of one gang blatantly fired several shots at the home of a police inspector attached with the Narcotics Department in Seremban Jaya, near here, in April.
“In the past, gang rivalries had nothing to do with drugs but today, things have changed.
“We have strong reason to believe that many of the victims were gunned down because they were either unable to pay up for the drugs supplied to them or had stepped on the toes of someone who was already doing business in the same area,” he said.-The StarOnline
