KLANG: A local man arrested by Thai authorities last week with 75kg of ketamine is believed to be part of an international drug distribution network, said Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) director, Datuk Hussein Omar Khan.
Hussein said investigations are ongoing in coordination with Thai authorities to identify other members of the syndicate, which is also suspected of operating in Malaysia.
"The suspect has four prior criminal records. Police have also identified other individuals who are likely involved in the same syndicate,” he told a press conference at the Port Klang Police Station here on Friday (Nov 14).
Hussein said Malaysia is awaiting legal proceedings in Thailand, as it has sufficient evidence to charge the suspect.
He added that Thai authorities have a strong case against the suspect based on the gathered evidence, and it is common for the country making the arrest to handle prosecution, particularly in drug-related offences.
The Malaysian police are using information from Thailand to examine the full structure of the drug trafficking network.
"For the syndicate operating in Malaysia, police will take appropriate follow-up action based on the intelligence gathered,” he said.
Earlier reports revealed that police were working to identify the network linked to the 25-year-old local man, who was arrested along with 75kg of ketamine found in his vehicle in Chumphon, southern Thailand, last Thursday (Nov 13).
According to Thai media, the arrest was made by Thailand’s Narcotics Suppression Bureau along with the Chumphon Provincial Police at a roadblock in Hong Charoen sub-district, Tha Sae District. — Bernama
