SB 4.14.3
srutva nrpasana-gatam
venam atyugra-sasanam
nililyur dasyavah sadyah
sarpa-trasta ivakhavah
Translation by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada:
It was already known that Vena was very severe and cruel; therefore, as soon as all the thieves and rogues in the state heard of his ascendance to the royal throne, they became very much afraid of him. Indeed, they hid themselves here and there as rats hide themselves from snakes.
Purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada:
When the government is very weak, rogues and thieves flourish. Similarly, when the government is very strong, all the thieves and rogues disappear or hide themselves. Of course Vena was not a very good king, but he was known to be cruel and severe. Thus the state at least became freed from thieves and rogues.