GEORGE TOWN, Aug 25 — The police detained 16 men in the state early today, in connection with extortion, armed robbery and rioting cases during separate 'Ops Cantas' raids.

The suspects, in their 20s and 40s, were picked up during raids at 44 houses in an eight-hour operation which ended about 4am.

State CID deputy chief ACP Mohd Nasir Salleh said today, the 16 were remanded to facilitate investigations under the Crime Prevention Act.

During the same operation, the police also raided two night clubs in Komtar and Jalan Penang and detained three foreign nationals working without permit.

Mohd Nasir said the police also seized two long machetes in one of the outlets, which were believed to have been used for fights and other crimes. — Bernama