Special Task Force On Organised Crime

Special Task Force On Organised Crime
Active	January 1, 2014
Country	Malaysia
Branch	Royal Malaysia Police
Type	Special forces
Role	Domestic Counter-Terrorism and Law Enforcement
Size	Varies
Part of	Criminal Investigations Department

STAFOC members of Bukit Aman during the parade

STAFOC officers in Sabah

Special Task Force On Organised Crime (STAFOC) (Malay: Pasukan Tugas Khas Melawan Jenayah Terancang) are the special response units of the Royal Malaysia Police. STAFOC are full-time units whose members do not perform any other duties, and are essentially the equivalent of British SO-19, German SEK and US Capital Police SWAT teams and French GIGN and RAID. The comparable unit of the RMP is the Pasukan Gerakan Khas.

Organization

The organization of special police forces was formed following the Home Ministry’s meeting with the RMP on August 22, 2013 and formed in January 01, 2014 to meet the challenges of a more sophisticated and violent trend in organised crime. The best in criminal investigation will be in the frontline as police take a major step to fight organised crime which comprises 400 officers, led by a deputy commissioner, will be equally divided and placed with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Narcotics Crimes Investigations Department (NCID).^[1] They operating on the concept of “Intelligence Led Policing and Aggressive Action on Organised Crime” — will focus specifically on serious crimes including illegal syndicates, gangsterism, gambling, vice, human trafficking, prostitution and drug gangs. STAFOC will operate directly from Bukit Aman, but will be deployed throughout the country to be part of raids and tactical operations.

More than 20 of the force comprised experienced officers, many of whom have been involved in special missions such as the invasion of Lahad Datu last February 2013. The Lahad Datu incident saw 200 special tactical officers sent to Sabah, leaving many states without such expertise.^[2]

Training

Any police officer (men and women) handpicked from various departments is eligible to apply for service for STAFOC unit. They undergo training with the elite 69 Commandos and urban counter-terrorist division Special Actions Unit (UTK).

Missions

• October 4, 2014 - STAFOC is now involved in efforts to track down the suspects, believed to be Latin Americans, who masterminded the syndicate that hacked Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) in the country.^[3]
• March 13, 2015 - A 27-years-old man, believed to be a triad members, was shot dead by STAFOC in a shootout in Lencongan Barat, Bandar Languna Merbok, Kedah. Suspect, K. Sujenthiran, believed to be a member of Gang 35 open fire after a team attempted to get close to his black Proton Wira Aeroback before the officers returned fire for self-defense. Police recover the Czech-made of 9mm Luger semi-automatic handgun from the dead suspect.^[4]
• March 31, 2015 - Combined officers of STAFOC and Perak State CID managed shot dead three criminals and two firearms were seized during the gunfight in Kampung Simee, Ipoh. Three suspects were highly dangerous and wanted for robbery in the city and its surrounding areas. While police tried to approach the suspect's car, they sped off and a chase ensued before shootout begin.^[5]
• August 4, 2015 - STAFOC officers arrested three suspects of a human trafficking syndicate in an operation at Rawang, Selangor. Three pregnant womans and one baby is rescued as a result from the raid.^[6]
• August 11, 2015 - Perak State Police Contingent, with the help of Bukit Aman STAFOC, raided a weapon storage site and seizes five shotguns and arrested 21 suspects from Egypt, Bangladesh, Myanmar and locals at Taiping, Perak. Along with the arrest, police also seized 13 lorry and a stolen Hilux.^[7]
• August 11, 2015 - On 3:15pm, a team of officers and members of the Kedah CID D9, along with Bukit Aman STAFOC, arrested two suspects at a parking lot on Sungai Petani, Kedah. The arrest leads to the seizure of a handgun, 17 of 9mm rounds, scythe, heroin, shabu, and various other drugs and weapons. Further investigation leads to the seizure of two airsoft guns at one of the suspect house.^[8]
• August 13, 2015 - Police has busted syndicate that dismantles stolen vehicles to be sold as spareparts on the global market at Trong, Perak. The raid was conducted by STAFOC and Perak CID arrested 22 mens, which included ten foreigners. One Egyptian, suspected as the buyer of illegal spareparts. All suspects will be investigated under Section 379 Penal Code for theft.^[9]
• September 16, 2015 - STAFOC members were involved with investigating the whereabouts of Kevin Morais, a deputy public prosecutor who were kidnapped on 4 September. His body were found cemented in an oil drum along a secluded pathway at Persiaran Subang Mewah, USJ 1, Subang Jaya at 6am.^[10]
• October 15, 2015 - STAFOC team crippled a contract killing syndicate by arresting two mens and seized four handguns at two separate arrests at Skudai, Johor. It is believed that the syndicate were closely linked to the Gang 21 secret society, which is also involved in other criminal activities such as drug dealing. With the successful arrest, it is possible that more arrest will be conducted soon.^[11]
• December 2, 2015 - STAFOC team were involved in assisting Gombak and Selangor CID teams in patrolling Persiaran Bukit Takun following a spate of robberies and house break-ins. A high speed car chase ensued and STAFOC returned fire when the occupants tried to shoot at them, killing one of the suspects. The driver managed to flee.^[12]

STING

Special Tactics and Intelligence Narcotics Group (STING) (Malay: Pasukan Khas Taktikal dan Perisikan Narkotik) are specialized to fight against organized drug lords as well as local and international drug smuggling syndicates. The elite force, made up of about 200 highly trained personnel, but to date 60 of the best anti-narcotics officers, including 10 female officers have been enlisted would be targeting the “sharks” of the drug trade and not "small fishs".

Formed in January 30, 2014, STING had given the police a big boost in the war against drugs in the country.^[13]

Missions

• February 9, 2015 - Combined STING and Penang Narcotics Crime Investigation Department team had discovered an illegal drug processing lab, seized heroin, kafein, various chemicals and drug processing instruments at Lebuh Sungai Pinang, Penang. Three men and a woman aged between 35 to 57-year-old was arrested at the condominium and seized 48.1 kilograms of heroin and 1.99 kilograms of syabu and seized five luxurious cars owned by members of the syndicate which included Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen Beetle and Mitsubishi Attrage and a Vespa type motorcycle as well as cash worth over RM790,000.^[14]
• May 26, 2015 - STING operatives has busted a drug processing laboratory and seized drugs, worth RM10 million following the arrest of eight international drug syndicate members, aged 29 to 43, comprised five locals, including a woman, two Sri Lanka nationals and an Indian national around Klang Valley in Wangsa Maju, Damansara, Seri Kembangan and Sepang. In the seven raids, police busted a house in Sepang, which was used as synthetic drug laboratory and chemical storage and arrested two men. The overall drugs seized is 40.36 kilogrammes, namely syabu (34.76 kg), ecstacy pills (5.6 kg) with chemicals and processing equipments, worth a total RM10 million.^[15]
• June 23, 2015 - STING arrested 4 suspect of African descent involved with a drug distribution in a raid at Sungai Buluh and Damansara. The arrest also seized 7 kg cocaine and 800g methamphetamine.^[16]
• July 16, 2015 - STING team, with cooperation from Bukit Aman Narcotics CID and the Justice Investigation Bureau of Taiwan, arrested 8 men, 5 of which from Taiwan at a drug lab near Pandan Indah. The seize is worth RM20mil and among the drugs that were seized were Erimin 5 and cocained with a combined weight of 207.8 kg.^[17]

• July 21, 2015 - Penang NCID with STING teams busted a drug processing and trafficking ring run by two of Penang's most notorious gangs, Sio Sam Ong and Gang 04, seized 24.75 kg of heroin, worth RM1.5mil of drugs and cash. Three Sio Sam Ong members in charge of the trafficking were arrested while two Gang 04 members were nabbed as police unearthed a drug lab in Bayan Lepas.^[18]
• July 26, 2015 - Bukit Aman STING teams arrested 22 Pakistani citizens at Desa Melawati, Kuala Lumpur and seized 34 kg of heroin during the raid.^[19]
• July 31, 2015 - STING and Penang NCID arrested 3 suspect in Penang, seized more than 10 kg of heroin, 5 kg of Syabu, 6 pistols and 1 rifle. A raid later in the day arrested further 14 suspects, consist of Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and locals. They were all involved in the drug distribution syndicate.^[20]
• August 10, 2015 - STING arrested 9 suspect believed to be syndicate members for drug distribution ring at Bukit Kayu Hitam and Sungai Petani, Kedah. The arrest lead to the seizure of 160 ganja packs for distribution on the local market.^[21]
• August 21, 2015 - STING uncovers a drug lab and seizes RM15m worth of liquid syabu at Bukit Mertajam, Penang. The raid also captures 5 syndicate members, 3 locals and 2 Iranian nationals. The seized liquid syabu weights 324 kg.^[22]
• August 24, 2015 - STING raided 6 drug dens and arrested 81 addicts in Pokok Sena, Kedah. The raid, tagged Ops Sarang II, was a joint operation involving 160 officers and personnel from STING, state NCID, and other government agencies. 81 drug addicts (78 men and 3 women) were arrested with various drug offences during the ops. 9.66g of heroin, 2.27g of syabu, 1.3 kg of cannabis, 2 kg of ketum leaves and 2 liters of ketum juice were seized during the raid.^[23]
• August 28, 2015 - A international drug trafficking syndicate were busted when STING arrested 3 Nigerians and 1 local in a 3-part raid. 58 compressed slabs of ganja worth RM500,000 were seized.^[24]
• October 3, 2015 - A drug trafficking ring consist of 14 Africans who posed as students were busted. STING teams raided 8 places which leads to the crippling of the syndicate. The method of smuggling drugs were through dolls, shoes, and handbags. Police also seized 16 kg syabu, 250g of heroin, and 75g of cocaine and street value is estimated around RM5 million. All suspects will be investigated under Section 39(B) Dangerous Drug Act 1952.^[25]
• October 5, 2015 - Bukit Aman STING team arrested a drug kingpin with seized 469 kg of ganja which valued around RM1 million. Police subsequently arrested another 3 members of the syndicate further seized 2 MPV vehicles. The case is being investigated under Section 39B Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and will be subjected to mandatory death sentence if convicted.^[26]
• October 12, 2015 - 173 men has been arrested for drug-related offences during a raid codenamed Ops Sarang, conducted at Kuantan with help from various agencies including Bukit Aman STING. 167g of heroin, 5g of ganja 112 yaba pills and RM2000 cash were among seized during the raid. 5 dealers were among the arrested and 4 of them investigated under Section 39A(2) Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, and the other under Section 39A(1) Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.^[27]
• November 2, 2015 - Police STING teams seized 200 kg ecstasy mixture and nabbed 15 individuals in two separate raids in Jerantut, Pahang and Kuala Lumpur.^[28]
• November 5, 2015 - Police arrested 4 men including 3 Nigerians and seized 46kg of drugs worth RM5m in a raid at Puchong. STING personnels discovered pack of drugs hidden inside womens handbag which is believed to be smuggled into the country from People's Republic of China.^[29]
• November 23, 2015 - STING teams seized 4 pistols, 2 shotguns and 1 airsoft gun from raid conducted.^[30]
• November 23, 2015 - Police busted a syndicate attempting to transport RM2m worth of syabu using 'Segway'. STING personnels seized 10.2kg worth of syabu and arrested two men from Nigeria and Republic De Guinea on November 23. The raid were conducted around Kajang.^[31]

STAGG

Special Task Force for Anti-Vice, Gaming and Gangsterism (STAGG) is a specialized unit tasked with combating vice, gaming and gangsterism activities. The group, joined the Special Tactics and Intelligence Narcotics Group (STING) and Special Task Force on Organised Crime (STAFOC), which were formed earlier this year specifically to bust drug rings and serious crimes. Formed in December 7, 2014, comprises 220 personnel of various ranks.^[32]

Equipment

Uniforms

STAFOC/STING/STAGG members always operate in standard black or blue tactical uniforms worn by the other counter-terrorism forces and wear fire retardant balaclavas are often used to protect the face as well as protect their identities. Both units commonly use the standard American PASGT helmets or Marine Ops-Core helmets. These tactical vests are labelled with "POLIS" (meaning "POLICE" in Malays), or RMP insignia, to allow for easy identification.

Weapons

The basic gear for every STAFOC/STING/STAGG officer is a standard sidearm and a submachine gun. STAFOC/STING/STAGG would gain other weaponry including rifles, sniper rifles, and even machine guns (in some units) depend on the situation encountered.

Unlike other police institutions, members are not bound to normal procurement policies and can order the equipment they feel the best for their mission.

The following are the common weapons used by STAFOC/STING/STAGG:

• Beretta Px4 Storm
• Glock 19
• Glock 26
• SIG Sauer P226
• SIG Sauer P2022
• Walther P99
• CZ Scorpion Evo 3
• Heckler & Koch MP5
• Various shotguns and bolt action sniper rifles

References

1. Afiq Niza (November 21, 2013). "Elite force to tackle serious crime". The Sun Daily. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
2. Nawar Firdaws (November 22, 2013). "Cream of cops to fight serious crime". Malay Mail Online. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
3. "STAFOC formed to track down ATM hackers". Astro Awani. October 4, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
4. "Police shoot dead triad member in Sungai Petani". Astro Awani. March 13, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
5. Audrey Dermawan (March 31, 2015). "Armed and dangerous criminals killed in shootings with police". New Straits Time. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
6. "SINDIKET PEMERDAGANGAN MANUSIA TUMPAS". Polis DiRaja Malaysia. August 4, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
7. "POLIS TEMUI BENGKEL SIMPAN SENJATA API". Polis DiRaja Malaysia. August 11, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
8. "TANGKAPAN DAN RAMPASAN SENJATA API". Polis DiRaja Malaysia. August 11, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
9. "Sindiket lupus kenderaan curi tumpas". Sinar Harian. August 13, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
10. "Body in oil drum, missing DPP case solved". The Rakyat Post. September 16, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
11. "Police cripple contract killer gang in JB". The Rakyat Post. October 16, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
12. "Suspected armed robber shot dead near Templer Park". The Star Online. December 2, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
13. Farik Zolkepli (January 30, 2014). "STING to combat local and international drug syndicates". The Star. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
14. "Police cripples drug syndicate, drugs worth RM5 million seized". Astro Awani. February 9, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
15. "Police bust drug lab, seize drugs worth RM10 mln, eight arrested". The Borneo Post. May 26, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
16. "Sting Tumpaskan Empat Suspek Pengedaran Dadah". Royal Malaysian Police. June 23, 2015. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
17. "Five Taiwanese held in a drug bust". The Star. July 16, 2015. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
18. "Penang drug gangs busted". The Star. July 23, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
19. "22 suspek ditahan miliki 34kg dadah". Sinar Harian. July 26, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
20. "International drug trafficking syndicate busted". The Rakyat Post. Aug 4, 2015. Retrieved Aug 4, 2015.
21. "SINDIKET PENGEDARAN GANJA TUMPAS". August 10, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
22. "STING seizes liquid syabu worth RM15 million". August 22, 2015. August 21, 2015. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
23. "Sting raids six drug dens, 81 nabbed". August 24, 2015. August 24, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
24. "Police bust Nigerian-backed international drug trafficking ring". August 28, 2015. August 28, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
25. "Sekat ‘emas hitam’". October 03, 2015. October 3, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
26. "Raja’ sindiket tumpas, dadah RM1j dirampas". October 05, 2015. October 5, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
27. "173 DITANGKAP HARI KEDUA OP SARANG". October 14, 2015. October 12, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
28. "200kg ecstasy mix seized, 15 nabbed in STING raids". November 1, 2015. November 2, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
29. "STING rampas syabu 46 kilogram". November 5, 2015. November 5, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
30. "STING RAMPAS TUJUH SENJATA API". November 23, 2015. November 23, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
31. "Cops seized RM2mil worth of drugs inside ‘Segway’". November 26, 2015. November 27, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
32. Nadirah H.Rodzi (December 7, 2014). "New elite group formed to combat vice, gaming and gangsterism". The Star. Retrieved June 12, 2015.