KUALA LUMPUR: Police have stepped up border security measures following intelligence that several Malaysians are suspected of being involved in cross-border firearms smuggling syndicates.
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (KDNKA) deputy director Deputy Comm Datuk Mohamad Suzrin Mohamad Rodhi said the matter came to light after a meeting with Thailand’s Region 9 Police, who shared intelligence findings on the syndicates’ activities.
He said Thai authorities’ investigations showed that some Malaysians were believed to be involved in trafficking firearms, with several successfully bringing them into the country.
“Efforts to track them down are ongoing. Investigations are being led by the CID and Special Branch.
“On our side, we have intensified border security patrols, including along key routes and Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security complexes while tightening roadblocks to detect attempts to smuggle firearms.
“We also received intelligence from the Sadao police regarding the seizure of M4 assault rifles that were being smuggled about two weeks ago,” he told reporters after officiating the closing ceremony of the KDNKA Obstacle Course Test at the General Operations Force Central Brigade headquarters yesterday.
Earlier, Thai media reported that a 46-year-old Malaysian man was arrested by police in Sadao, Songkhla, on Aug 29.
A search of a Malaysia-registered Kia vehicle uncovered two M4 rifles, 300 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, seven magazines, 100 rounds of .45 calibre bullets and 50 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Initial investigations found the suspect had been hired to smuggle the weapons into Malaysia while several other syndicate members remain at large.
