Malaysian drug kingpin to face prosecution in Thailand, says Deputy IGP

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian drug kingpin detained in Laos will face prosecution in Thailand for drug trafficking.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said Bukit Aman would not arrange to bring the suspect back to Malaysia.

"The suspect is from Perak, and he is married to a Thai woman.

"We will leave it fully to Thai authorities.

"So far, we have no plans (to bring back the suspect). Let him face prosecution in Thailand," he told a press conference at Bukit Aman on Monday (Jan 8).

Any Malaysian who commits crimes overseas should face action by the law enforcement agencies of the respective countries, he said.

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

The 39-year-old Malaysian, an alleged drug dealer and key member of a drug syndicate, had been in hiding in Laos, according to Thai police.

Assistant National Police Chief Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon said the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) had 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.

He said the man was arrested in Laos on Dec 29.

"The suspect has been working with drug networks across Thailand, Malaysia, China, Singapore, and Laos. He also used Thailand for both money laundering and as a transit point for smuggling drugs, including to countries like Malaysia, Taiwan, and Australia.

"The arrest is a result of the continuous investigation and close coordination between the Thai, Malaysian, and Laotian enforcement agencies,” he said in a statement.