TEMERLOH, Malaysia: Temerloh police smashed a motorcycle theft syndicate in the district with the arrest of three men, aged between 20 to 23, and 13 students, after a three-week investigation last month.

OCPD Assistant Commisioner of Police Ahmad Fadzillah Mohamed said one of them, a 23-year-old drug addict believed to be the mastermind, was arrested on Sept 18 in his house in Felda Jengka 19, after a public tip-off.

ACP Ahmad Fadzillah said police later detained the other 15 and recovered 34 stolen motorcycles comprising six new motorcycles, four engines and 24 frames of machines.

"The stolen motorcycles were found in various places including in the river, in the lake and in the suspects' houses, all in Felda Jengka areas," ACP Ahmad Fadzillah told reporters in a press conference here on Wednesday.

He said the syndicate started operations early this year.

"We received numerous reports of stolen motorcycles from January. We have been investigating since then," ACP Ahmad Fadzillah said adding that the syndicate was also active in Maran district.

He said police was still looking for another two known only as "Bulit" and "Kojek".

He said the 13 students detained were released on police bail while all the three youths would be charged on Thursday under the Section 379A of the Penal Code.

ACP Ahmad Fadzillah advised the public to avoid buying low-priced stolen items as it was an offence.