Six local men arrested over drug syndicate linked to Malaysian co-pilot
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have arrested six local men suspected of involvement in an international drug trafficking syndicate linked to the arrest of a Malaysian co-pilot in Jakarta last July.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the suspects, aged between 23 and 50, were arrested in special operations at several locations between Aug 20 and 28.
He said the arrests followed information obtained from the 39-year-old co-pilot during questioning by an NCID team sent to Jakarta from Aug 11 to 15.
“Investigations and intelligence found that the suspects acted as upline and downline members of the drug distribution syndicate involving the co-pilot,” he told Bernama when contacted today.
Hussein said four of the six suspects had fled the country – two to Thailand and two to Vietnam – but were arrested upon their return to Malaysia.
“The two men who fled to Thailand were arrested when they returned by ferry at Kuah jetty, Langkawi, while the two who fled to Vietnam were detained upon arrival at Penang International Airport,” he said.
Hussein said all six are being detained under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985, which allows police to hold suspects for up to 60 days to complete investigations before any further detention order is issued.
He said some of the findings from the investigation into the six suspects would also be shared with the Indonesian National Police (POLRI).
Media reports previously said the 39-year-old Malaysian co-pilot was arrested by Indonesian authorities at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on suspicion of attempting to smuggle 25 kilogrammes of drugs.
POLRI reportedly found 15 packages containing 70,114 ecstasy pills and methamphetamine, worth an estimated RM45 million.
