Suspected member of baby formula theft ring charged in Melaka

MELAKA: A 32-year-old man believed to be part of an infant formula shoplifting ring has claimed trial to two counts of theft involving over RM1,800 worth of the product.

Mohd Safri Jilji entered a plea of not guilty after the charges were read to him before Magistrate N. Sivashangari in Ayer Keroh here on Friday (Aug 22).

According to the charges, the accused and two accomplices still at large allegedly stole 11 boxes of infant formula worth RM1,826.10 from convenience stores in Taman Paya Emas and Bandar Baru Sungai Udang, Melaka Tengah district, at about 7pm on Aug 1 and 2.

The charges were framed under Section 380 of the Penal Code for theft within a property, read together with Section 34, for a criminal act by several individuals with a common intention.

Safri faces imprisonment of up to 10 years and a possible fine if convicted.

DPP Farah Nabihah Roslan proposed bail of RM8,000 for each charge.

Chua Yong Yi, representing the accused, appealed for a lower amount as his client had recently undergone surgery and needed follow-up treatment.

The court granted bail at RM4,000 for all charges and fixed Oct 7 for next mention of the case.

It was reported earlier that a shoplifting ring was busted when police arrested three men and a woman during a raid at a condominium in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 10.

Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Christopher Patit said the “Susu Borneo” gang had been active since 2011.

“This syndicate’s modus operandi was to disguise themselves as customers, with the female suspect concealing the infant formula inside her clothes and trousers, while two male suspects served as lookouts and another waited outside,” he was quoted as saying on Aug 14.

According to ACP Christopher, the gang had hit 12 premises across several states, including Negri Sembilan, Pahang and here, in just one week.