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

Shah Alam, November 2 — Indonesian authorities are currently aiding Malaysian police in tracking additional suspects linked to the recent seizure of 1.16 tonnes of ketamine on a tanker. Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, director of Bukit Aman's Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), revealed that efforts are underway to apprehend these individuals to bolster the ongoing investigation.

"Two suspects have already been released on bail, pending further investigations," he stated during a press conference at the NCID case evidence disposal event at Selangor police contingent headquarters.

Hussein emphasized that the police would continue to cooperate with Indonesian authorities to gather more information regarding the case. Prior reports indicated that two men, both aged 40, were detained under Section 34 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for their suspected involvement in the drug trafficking operation. Hussein also noted that the Chinese national apprehended at Hong Kong International Airport on suspicion of transporting cocaine from Penang represents a shift in the drug syndicate's tactics.

He explained that this syndicate now predominantly employs Chinese nationals as drug mules, who enter Malaysia via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and subsequently travel to Penang by land before boarding a separate flight to Hong Kong with the contraband.

The police have so far identified three cases involving Chinese nationals in this scheme. Two suspects were apprehended in Hong Kong, while another was arrested by Malaysian authorities in Penang. Hussein emphasized that the syndicate likely operates under the guidance of a mastermind who orchestrates the movements of these drug mules. Authorities have also discovered that the syndicate arranges for new passports for the Chinese nationals before they travel to Malaysia.

As for the selection of Penang as a transit point, Hussein suggested that this approach may be an attempt to deceive law enforcement by altering flight routes, making it more challenging for authorities to trace their activities.