According to Sentul police chief ACP R Munusamy, the gangs have also been involved in murder.

He revealed that the thugs, most of whom are in their 20s and 30s, extort their own countrymen for protection money and in return act as intermediaries when dealing with the police.

“Each of the refugees pay about RM100 each month. It is a way for the foreign thugs to earn side income,” Munusamy was quoted as saying.

He said the thugs, who speak fluent Bahasa Malaysia, would assist the community when it came to health and welfare issues.

However, Munusamy said the police had nabbed a few of these thugs, with 15 charged for extortion and sent to jail. He said other members who escaped court action due to lack of evidence were placed in detention under the Prevention of Crime Act (Poca).