GEORGE TOWN: Suspected drug smugglers allegedly caught with guns and a bomb have been charged in the Sessions Court here after being investigated under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

       The 14 accused, including two women, were charged under Section 130V of the Penal Code for participation in a criminal organisation, which carries a maximum imprisonment of 20 years if found guilty.

       Penang police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the armed group is believed to have carried out criminal activities and smuggled drugs to neighbouring countries since last year.

       "Those charged were aged between 29 and 61 years old and were caught around Penang.

       "Out of the 14, four men involved in the case are in the Penang Remand Prison and the Pengkalan Chepa Prison in Kelantan.

       "The four have been charged here and in Kelantan as well," he told a press conference at state police headquarters in Penang Road here on Monday (June 20).

       Comm Mohd Shuhaily said this case demonstrated the importance of Sosma when the authorities investigate cases where syndicates are involved.

       "We are looking for four men still at large who are suspects in this case," he added.

       He said that at around noon on May 24, a special operation codenamed Ops Cantas Tanjung III was carried out by the state police assisted by Bukit Aman.

       "A total of 11 people, nine men and two women, were arrested around Penang.

       "They were remanded under Sosma from May 24," he added.

       It is learnt the other three accused were implicated in the alleged syndicate activities after questioning of those arrested in the operation.