Johor police chief Ab Rahaman Arsad said the suspects were arrested in the Klang Valley earlier this month after a 52-year-old retiree lodged a report on April 7 that unknown individuals had splashed red paint on his house at Taman Mount Austin, Kosmo reported.

Rahaman said it is believed the incident was linked to the victim’s tenant, who is suspected of taking illegal loans in a neighbouring country.

“Acting on intelligence, a team from the Johor Bahru Selatan commercial crime investigation division, with the cooperation of the Kajang police headquarters, tracked down a male suspect driving a car in Bangi, Selangor, on April 9.

“However, the suspect acted aggressively by ramming his car into the police team before fleeing, but was arrested at about 11.30pm in Cheras,” he told a press conference at the Johor police contingent headquarters.

Following the arrest, police raided an apartment in Kuala Lumpur and detained five more individuals, including two women, aged 21 to 42.

All tested positive for drugs and had records for drug‑related offences.

Rahaman said police also seized a pistol with two live bullets, debt collection documents, and a car during the raid.

Investigations found that the suspects were paid about RM600 for paint-splashing and RM1,000 for Molotov cocktail attacks.

They are believed to be linked to at least 25 similar cases in Johor, Selangor, Melaka, Perak and Pahang involving intimidation and unlicensed moneylending activities.

The case is being investigated under the Moneylenders Act, the Penal Code, as well as firearms and drug-related offences.

Police are tracking down the syndicate’s mastermind.