KUALA LUMPUR: A syndicate that specialised in modifying lorry engines for about 30 years was busted following raids at 10 workshops in Selangor and Perak.
The syndicate would modify the engine and chassis numbers of lorries believed to be stolen to avoid detection by the authorities.
The raids were conducted by Bukit Aman CID's Intelligence, Operations and Intelligence division (D4) and the Road Transport Department from June 12 to 16 in an operation codenamed Ops Lejang Khas.
Sources said 18 men - seven locals, eight Indonesians and three from Myanmar - including the mastermind were detained while 21 lorries and engine casings as well as tools to modify engine chassis worth RM2.1mil were seized.
"The main suspect was detained in Perak. Workshop owners who were detained in Selangor and Perak had allowed their premises to be used for engine tampering.
"The syndicate has been active for about 30 years. The mastermind inherited the 'business' from his father," the source said.
The syndicate operated through the mastermind, who would receive bookings to modify engine numbers from various workshops, sources said.
"The main suspect would then deploy 'doctors', who are the modification experts. These doctors would work on three to four lorry engines at one time," sources said.
