M'sian drug kingpin arrested in Laos believed to have ties to local syndicate, say cops

PETALING JAYA: Bukit Aman confirmed the arrest of a Malaysian man in Laos after a drug operation by local police in Vientiane.

Bukit Aman Narcotic Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Kamarudin Md Din, in a statement Tuesday (Dec 2), said that the matter was confirmed by the Thai Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), adding that the man was also caught for not having valid travel documents as per Laos immigration laws.

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"The ONCB has recommended to Laos police that the suspect be deported to Thailand because he has been blacklisted under Thailand's drug offences act.

"The police, in particular the NCID, will work together with the ONCB and Laos police in conducting follow-up investigations into this case.

"All required actions to ensure the prevention of acts of drug distribution and smuggling, which is a threat to the country, will be taken without compromise,” said Comm Mohd Kamarudin

Bukit Aman has also identified the man as being from Parit Buntar, Perak. He is also believed to have ties to a drug syndicate in Malaysia.

Bernama reported that a Malaysian fugitive wanted in Thailand for drug smuggling was arrested during a Thai-Laos joint operation last week.

According to Thai police, the suspect is an alleged drug dealer, a key member of a drug syndicate and had been hiding in Laos.

Assistant National Police Chief Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon said the ONCB has been investigating the Malaysian man, a suspected drug trafficker who played a key role as procurer and coordinator in the drug trade in the Golden Triangle area, since 2006.