The suspects aged between 22 and 55 were picked up about 4.30pm during an operation, “Ops Cantas”, at Persiaran Lintang Makmor 9 in Taman Lintang Makmor.

At the time of their arrests, the suspects were involved in a secret society initiation ceremony, said state CID chief Gan Tian Kee.

“Police also seized two chickens believed to have been used in the ritual,” he said in a statement here today.

He said initial investigations revealed that six men among those in the group had previous criminal records, and that the case would be investigated under Section 52 (3) of the Societies Act 1966.

The arrests follow yesterday’s warning by Perak police that they were continuing to monitor activities related to gangsterism reported around Taman Nesa, Kampung Deralik and Sungai Wangi Plantation near Sitiawan, Manjung.

Gan said police were aware of such activities in the area and believe the Geng 04, 08, 24 and 36 secret societies were involved.

“In the last few months, we have arrested a couple of people in these places as they were involved in various crimes and some have been held under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (Poca).

“As for schools, we are monitoring if there is any recruitment but so far in this state, we have not received any reports.

“Schools in Perak are under control.”

It was reported last week that the wall of a school in Taman Nesa was sprayed with the symbol of Geng 04.

The gang’s activities have caused uneasiness among residents.

According to an English daily, problems like gangsterism, drugs and alcohol have been going on in the area for the past few years.