Kumpulan

Gabal’s most prominent criminal organization is called Kumpulan. It is headed by prominent local businessman Myint Khine, who owns a local import/export operation. Khine is 45 years old, and began working for Kumpulan when he was a teenager. Over two decades ago, Kumpulan provided the funds to expand Khine’s business, now called Kumpulan Import and Export. This business today serves as a cover for Kumpulan illegal operations. With warehouses in several cities and towns in Gabal, Khine can hide illegal goods among his legitimate imports. The police are aware of Khine, but he always seems to be one step ahead of the authorities when they raid one of his warehouses. It is highly likely that he has agents scattered throughout the National Police, as well as local governmental officials. These agents let Khine know about the raids well enough in advance for the group to move out the illegal goods hidden among the legitimate imports.

Weapons confiscated by the Gabal military or police sometimes make it into Kumpulan’s hands, instead of the weapons destruction facility—most likely due to corrupt military and/or police officers. Kumpulan is usually non-violent, but at times, some independent black marketers have been found shot to death as a warning to others.

The poverty faced by many islanders force Gabalian youth into illegal activities in order to survive.  This is especially true for the disenfranchised male youth from the ages of 15 to 25. Many of these struggling young males turn to petty crime to survive such as purse snatching, pickpocketing, and simple robbery. The victims are often tourists, who often are the only ones with any money to actually steal. If a young male does not go out on their own, they often find work with the Kumpulan.