Perak police chief Hasnan Hassan said under the operation, dubbed “Op Cantas Silver”, the suspected members, including one with the honorific title of “Datuk”, were picked up in several states.
Of the total number, he said, 26 were nabbed in Perak, Selangor, Malacca and Johor while the rest were rounded up in Pokok Sena, Kedah; Taiping and Batu Gajah in Perak; as well as Sungai Udang, Melaka.
The suspects are aged between 20 and 60.
Hasnan said the operation was mounted following a series of violent incidents.
This included the murder of a woman with the honorific title of “Datin Seri”, which occurred in front of a restaurant off Jalan Klang Lama, Kuala Lumpur, on July 6, 2016 and the killing of a man in Hutan Melintang, Bagan Datuk, Perak, in November 2016.
“The long-running secret society had been involved in organised crime and other criminal activities involving robbery, extortion, arson and drug trafficking,” he said.
He said Bukit Aman’s Anti-Money Laundering Act (Amla) crime investigation team also froze and seized assets belonging to the group worth RM4.5 million, which covered vehicles, properties, jewellery, valuable items, bank accounts and cash.
“The police are in the midst of tracking down 10 members of the group who have fled.
“Interpol assistance will be sought if the suspects have gone into hiding abroad,” he added.
According to Hasnan, all the suspects were remanded for 28 days from Jan 27 under Section 4 (5) of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).
The case was also investigated under Section 4 (1) of the Anti Money Laundering Act, Anti Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA) 2001.
Hasnan said the 36 suspects would be charged at the Ipoh Sessions Court tomorrow under Section 130 V of the Penal Code and Section 130 W of the Penal Code for being members of the group and assisting an organised crime group.