The eight accused are Nur Alya Nadhira Che Hassan, 22; Nurul Natasha Shukri, 23; Samerin Shahrom, 35; Aizat Rosmadi, 28; Aizal Abuk Bakar, 23; Zaini Yusoff, 27; Azizi Abd Ghafar, 22; and Fitri Abdul Karim, 31.

No plea was recorded from any of them after the charges were read separately before judge Roslan Hamid, as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

They were accused of being members of Geng Adik Labu Besar at a house in Kampung Gajah, Butterworth, in Seberang Perai Utara between March 2025 and Oct 16, 2025.

The charges were framed under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code. If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment under the same section.

The prosecution was led by deputy public prosecutors Suloshani Vijendran and Maryam Jamielah Ab Manaf.

Lawyer Manjit Singh Mann represented Nurul Natasha, while the other seven were unrepresented.

The court did not grant bail, as bail can only be applied for in the High Court. It set May 4 for case mention.

Yesterday, Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director M Kumar said the police had smashed a house-breaking syndicate involving eight people, with estimated losses approaching RM1 million, through Op Shadow in Penang on Feb 15.

He said five suspects were arrested during the special operation under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 while the other three suspects were detained at Jawi prison and Alor Setar prison in Kedah for other offences.

Kumar said all eight would be charged with involvement in an organised crime group.