Police free two on bail, track more suspects with Indonesia’s help in tanker ketamine case

Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director, Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, revealed that the police are actively pursuing additional suspects connected to the recent seizure of 1.16 tonnes of ketamine on a tanker. Two individuals, both aged 40, were already apprehended, but their remand period has concluded, and they have been released on bail.

However, the police are actively investigating several other individuals to aid in the ongoing inquiry. Hussein further indicated that the police are cooperating with Indonesian authorities to acquire more information about the case. Reports previously suggested that the police had detained two men, both aged 40, for their involvement in the investigation under Section 34 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

Hussein mentioned that the Chinese nationals involved are increasingly being used as drug mules, bypassing Malaysian citizens. These individuals typically enter Malaysia through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and subsequently travel to Penang by land, where they board a separate flight to Hong Kong while carrying the cocaine.

This is the third case; the police had arrested two individuals in Hong Kong, and one in Penang. The mastermind behind this operation is believed to orchestrate the movements of the drug mules, and authorities suspect that the syndicate issues new passports for the Chinese nationals before they travel to Malaysia. Hussein added that the choice of Penang as a transit point may serve to confuse law enforcement by altering flight routes.