Police have crippled a Nepali triad gang, believed to be involved in a spate of extortion and robberies against their fellow countrymen, with the arrest of 11 of its members, including two women.

Seberang Perai Tengah police chief ACP Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said all suspects, aged between 22 and 36, including the group's leader, were arrested in separate raids in Juru and Taman Perwira, here Wednesday.

"The group leader, aged 36, who lived in Kuala Lumpur, is believed to be here to get the protection money collected by the gang members," he said here Thursday.

He said police investigations revealed that the triad gang, known as 'Penang Young Star Gang' had been actively recruiting members to extort their fellow countrymen of a RM25 monthly protection fee, over the past year.

Nik Ros Azhan said the investigations also found that they were involved in several fights in the state.

"All suspects also have multiple tattoos on their bodies, including one special tattoo that identifies them as a gang member. The group also has a special ceremony for their members and one of the houses raided was a place to recruit new members," he said.

Nik Ros Azhan said following the raids, police seized various weapons and other objects used by the gang, including machetes, Nepalese flag, wolf head sculpture, musical instruments and yellow shawl.

All of them did not have valid travel documents and have been remanded to facilitate further investigations, he added.