01/08/2026

SATURDAY | AUG 1, 2026

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Police seize RM1.85 billion narcotics, poisons as of June KUALA LUMPUR: Police seized 150,106kg of drugs and poisons worth RM1.85 billion in 622 operations nationwide from January to June this year. “These seizure statistics not only reflect the seriousness of the drug threat we face, but also demonstrate police commitment in thwarting every attempt to smuggle, distribute and abuse drugs in the country,” he said in a statement. strengthen their networks. “For the same period, 503 individuals were arrested under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985, compared with 308 last year,“ he said.

controlling precursor chemicals and supply chains, seizing syndicate assets, strengthening digital financial forensics and using artificial intelligence and big data to improve operations. He also said the department is working to strengthen cooperation with other agencies, improve standard operating procedures and laws, and implement outcome-based governance. “This phased execution aims to ensure that every operation genuinely cripples the finances, networks and overall capabilities of the syndicates,” he said. – Bernama Online travel scam ring offering fake Japan tours busted GEORGE TOWN: Police have busted an online travel scam syndicate duping victims in China and Taiwan with fake Japan tour packages. Northeast district police chief ACP Abdul Rozak Muhammad said eight suspects, comprising seven men and one woman aged between 25 and 37, were detained during a raid at a luxury condominium in Tanjung Bungah at 4.45pm on Thursday. “All of those arrested were foreigners,” he told reporters. Abdul Rozak said police also seized various computer and telecommunications equipment believed to have been used to operate the fraudulent call centre, which allegedly offered fake Japan tour packages online to victims in China and Taiwan. He added that the case is being investigated under Sections 420 and 120B of the Penal Code. Section 420 relates to cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property, while Section 120B involves criminal conspiracy to commit an offence. All eight suspects have been remanded for three days, from yesterday until Aug 2, to facilitate further investigations. “We will further intensify operations to curb illegal activities orchestrated by foreign nationals and take firm legal action against those involved,” he said in a statement yesterday. The raid was conducted by a team from the district Criminal Investigation Department, Commercial Crime Investigation Department and the Tanjung Tokong police station. The bust on Thursday is the latest in a series of scam syndicate raids that have been conducted in Penang in recent months. theSun had reported that on July 16 and 17, police dismantled five online scam syndicates operating from rented bungalows in Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi, Pulau Tikus, Gelugor and Bukit Mertajam. Police arrested 108 individuals comprising one Malaysian and 107 foreign nationals from China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Pakistan and South Africa. Preliminary investigations into the July raids found the premises had been used as both accommodation and base of operations, with syndicate members believed to have been recruited online or through agents and brought into Malaysia. Police believe the syndicate members were offered jobs as customer service officers earning between RM3,200 and RM5,000 a month to lure victims into non-existent investment schemes. Penang police chief Datuk Dennis K.K. Lim said criminals may have preferred operating from affluent neighbourhoods to avoid suspicion, and urged property owners to screen prospective tenants thoroughly before renting out their premises. Police have also not ruled out the possibility that the syndicates relocated to Penang following a crackdown on similar operations in the Klang Valley earlier this year. Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the operations also crippled 155 drug trafficking syndicates, involving 441 arrests. He said for the same period last year, 178 drug trafficking syndicates were crippled with the same number of arrests. Drug and poison seizures totalled 123,996kg valued at RM1.77 billion.

“In addition, action under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 was taken against 4,427 repeat addicts.” Hussein said NCID would move from tactical and reactive operations to a strategic enforcement model based on intelligence, data and technology. He added that the department would focus on

Hussein said intelligence-led operations successfully led to raids on nine illegal drug laboratories, with the arrest of 18 individuals. He said the department also seized syndicate assets worth RM79.2 million. Another RM10.84 million was forfeited to prevent illicit proceeds from being reused to

M’sian pilot held in Jakarta for alleged drug smuggling

JAKARTA: A Malaysian pilot has been arrested in Indonesia for allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs, including 25kg of ecstasy worth about Rp60 billion ((RM13.5 million), into the country, authorities said yesterday. Indonesian Customs and Excise director general Djaka Budi Utama said the 39-year-old suspect was intercepted upon arrival at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on July 29 after piloting an international passenger flight from Kuala Lumpur, with the drugs allegedly found concealed in his luggage. “Customs and Excise at Soekarno-Hatta Airport successfully intercepted an attempt to smuggle MDMA, or ecstasy, consisting of 14 packages. “The seizure amounted to approximately 70,114 ecstasy pills with a net weight of about 25kg, along with four grammes of methamphetamine, or crystal meth,” he said at a joint press conference with the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the Indonesian National Police yesterday. Head of Sub-Directorate II of the Bareskrim Narcotics Directorate Awaludin Amin said laboratory tests found the suspect’s urine positive for MDMA, methamphetamine and cocaine. Preliminary investigations also indicated that the suspect may have smuggled narcotics into Indonesia on previous occasions, Bernama reported. He said based on initial interrogations, the suspect admitted to bringing illegal drugs into Indonesia on three occasions, twice through Jakarta and once through another region. “Our suspicion is that he is part of an international network, but we need time to further investigate and uncover the wider syndicate,” he said, adding that investigators were tracing other members of the alleged network and identifying the intended recipients of the drugs in Indonesia. Soekarno-Hatta Customs and Excise head Hengki described the case as particularly alarming as the suspect had just piloted an international passenger flight carrying about 170 passengers before his arrest. He added that flight crew are generally regarded internationally as low-risk travellers and are processed through dedicated airport channels, but stressed that Customs applies the same inspection standards to crew members

o Indonesian Customs intercept suspect at airport, find over 70,000 ecstasy pills and meth hidden in luggage

Indonesian Customs officials displaying the uniform of the Malaysian pilot and drugs he smuggled during a press conference at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, near Jakarta yesterday. – AFP PIC

allegations seriously. In a statement to Bernama yesterday, the national carrier said Malaysia Airlines will extend its full cooperation to the relevant authorities in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. As the matter remains under investigation by Indonesian authorities, the airline said it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage. “Malaysia Airlines wishes to reiterate that it does not tolerate any form of misconduct and is currently conducting an internal review into the matter,” it said. The airline added that the safety, security and integrity of its operations remain the top priority. Under Indonesian law, the pilot risks the death penalty or a life sentence if found guilty. follow-up action,” he said. Meanwhile, Gua Musang district police chief Supt Sik Choon Foo said the crash is believed to have occurred when the 21-year-old driver of the car lost control of the vehicle before veering into the opposite lane and colliding with the trailer coming from the opposite direction. “Initial investigations found that the crash occurred at about 7am and the vehicle driven by the local man was travelling from Kuala Krai towards Gua Musang.”– Bernama

and passengers. Hengki said Indonesian authorities had begun coordinating with their Malaysian counterparts following the arrest. He added that Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation would continue liaising with Malaysian aviation authorities, while the police and the Customs Department had already established communication with their Indonesian counterparts. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspect’s alleged involvement in the trafficking syndicate and whether the case is linked to other cross-border smuggling operations, he said. Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines reserved comment on a pilot being caught for a narcotics-related offence by Indonesian authorities, but added that the airline takes such the scene with two fire engines at 7.52am. “Special equipment was used to remove the victims, who were trapped in the vehicle. All three passengers in the car died at the scene and one was found seriously injured, while the lorry driver was unhurt,” he said. He added that the trailer is believed to be travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu. “All the victims were sent to the Gua Musang Hospital for processing. “The bodies were handed to police for

Three killed, one hurt in car-trailer crash GUA MUSANG: Three people died in a road crash involving a car and a trailer carrying diesel in Jalan Gua Musang-Kuala Krai, near Gua Sejuk here yesterday morning.

Gua Musang Fire and Rescue station chief senior assistant fire superintendent Muhammad Azrul Izzham Zulkifli said the deceased consisted of a man, a woman and a boy, while another woman was seriously injured. “The station received an emergency call at 7.16am before eight of its personnel arrived at