KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: One of the most dangerous and violent gangs in the country has been crippled following a series of police raids.

The Gang 08, which has terrorised Klang Valley residents for over a year, is believed to have an organised hierarchy and was involved in a string of criminal activities including murder, drug dealing, distributing counterfeit money, blackmailing and illegal possession of firearms.

A special task force from the City Serious Crimes Department (D9) was set up to monitor the gang?s movements and after meticulous planning, it conducted two simultaneous raids on a house in Cheras and Seri Kembangan on Jan 23.

"Eleven people, including the gang leader and two women, all aged between 16 and 32, were picked up in the raids," City police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Muhammad Sabtu Osman said yesterday.

Police seized a potted cannabis plant, 1.5kg of cannabis, a BMW car, 160 fake US currency notes and two semi-automatic pistols.

A subsequent inspection led police to a parked Kembara in Kepong where another 3.1kg of cannabis was found in the car.

DCP Muhammad Sabtu said the gang had been active for over a year in Seri Serdang, Sri Petaling, Seri Kembangan, Kepong and Ampang.

He said seven of the suspects were released on bail and the other four remanded until Friday.

Police were on the lookout for the remaining members of the gang, he added.-The Star/ANN