{
  "id": 1445225,
  "title": "Police deny drug cartel operating in Genting Highlands",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/police-deny-drug-cartel-operating-in-genting-highlands",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-17T07:49:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/08/1513036/police-deny-drug-cartel-operating-genting-highlands"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pahang police have dismissed social media rumors that a drug cartel is operating in Genting Highlands and Bentong. Acting police chief Datuk Azry Akmar Ayob assured that the force will investigate any detected illegal activity with immediate effect. Azry spoke to reporters after witnessing the transfer of duties for the Pahang Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department chief post. He was responding to a viral post on social media that claimed a major drug cartel was active in the popular tourist destination, despite multiple police reports.\n\nAdditionally, Azry informed that a tanker driver involved in a fatal crash that killed two people near Kampung Lebak will be remanded in police custody until tomorrow. The driver, a 37-year-old man, is suspected of causing death by reckless or dangerous driving under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. Both victims, identified as 39-year-old Nur Fatima Abdullah and her 12-year-old son, were confirmed dead through DNA testing. The crash occurred when their car caught fire following a collision with a tanker carrying 32,000 liters of diesel and petrol. The driver survived with minor injuries.",
  "summary": "KUANTAN: Pahang police have denied viral claims on social media that a large-scale drug cartel is operating unchecked in Genting Highlands, Bentong.",
  "key_points": [
    "Pahang police deny rumors of drug cartel in Genting Highlands.",
    "Tanker driver remanded for fatal crash killing two.",
    "Victims were 39-year-old Nur Fatima and her 12-year-old son."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The police assurance of immediate investigation into any detected illegal activity aims to alleviate public concern and maintain trust in their ability to manage safety in Genting Highlands.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Polis Pahang nafi ada kartel dadah di Genting Highlands",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/polis-pahang-nafi-ada-kartel-dadah-di-genting-highlands",
        "published": "2026-08-17T07:17:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "No drug cartel in Genting: Pahang police stress immediate action if reports are lodged",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/no-drug-cartel-in-genting-pahang-police-stress-immediate-action-if",
        "published": "2026-08-17T08:34:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Pahang police reject claims of drug cartel operating in Genting Highlands",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/pahang-police-reject-claims-of-drug-cartel-operating-in-genting",
        "published": "2026-08-17T08:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "[UPDATED] Armed robbers strike goldsmith shop at Genting Highlands mall",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/updated-armed-robbers-strike-goldsmith-shop-at-genting-highlands-mall",
        "published": "2026-08-17T10:10:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}