SEREMBAN: Police detained two suspects believed to have been involved in the theft of 12 cows in Felda Pasoh 3 in Batu Kikir near here within hours after its owner lodged a report.

       Jempol police chief Supt Hoo Chang Hook said police also managed to recover five of the stolen cows from the suspects aged 42 and 45.

       "The cows were found in a cowshed belonging to one of the suspects.

       "We believe the other cows have been sold to people known to the suspects," he said in a statement on Thursday (Feb 1).

       Hoo said police had received a report from the owner of the cattle around 1.30pm on Jan 31.

       A team was then formed to trace the culprits. One was arrested at a house in Batu Kikir and the other at Bandar Seri Jempol.

       "The suspects used blowpipe-like tools and tranquillisers to make it easier for them to steal the cows.

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       "The cattle were then taken away in a lorry," he said, adding that police had obtained an order to remand the duo for four days.

       Supt Hoo said police believe they had crippled the activities of a cattle rustling syndicate in the area.

       Meanwhile, the cops were still looking for another suspect involved in the case.

       The case was being probed under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft which carried a jail term of up to seven years or a fine or both upon conviction.