State police chief Comm Chuah Ghee Lye called on the public to alert the authorities by calling 999 if they knew of the whereabouts of any of the leaders.
He also said there was a zero tolerance policy on any secret society member or gangland criminal.
He said the 24 detained men were mostly “area chiefs” of the gang, with some serving in “community groups” and as regular members in village security and development committees (JKKKs).
He said the members had no political affiliation and were being investigated for organised crime.
They will be charged in court on Monday for various security offences.
“These men have been found to be involved in organised criminal activities such as murder, extortion, criminal intimidation and more,” he said.
“We are not just after ikan bilis (“small fry”) members or the underlings of these gangs. We are going for their leaders too,” he said at a press conference here today.
“We have observed the gang’s activities, and their operations normally die down after their leaders are caught.”
He added that the 24 were detained between July 18 and 22 in Penang and Negeri Sembilan.
In the operation, police seized six cars, RM133,844, Indian Rs 34,110 (RM8,953), 29 mobile phones, jewellery, 21 bottles of liquor and three sickle knives.
The men were being investigated for money laundering, and organised crime, Chuah said, adding that gangland activities in the state had been reduced significantly and “contained”.
Chuah said this latest wave of arrests and that of Gang 04 members during Thaipusam earlier this year, had resulted in other gang members lying low, with some gangs becoming dormant.
He also said Penang police had assigned representatives to visit schools in the state in a bid to keep watch over gang recruits and to spread anti-crime messages to students.
“We also want teachers, who will be our eyes and ears, to tell us what’s happening with their students.
“I know some might be afraid of retaliation, but we have assured them we will act swiftly,” Chuah said.