A MALAYSIAN man arrested in Thailand last Thursday with 75 kilogrammes of ketamine worth about RM9 million is believed to have acted as a drug transporter for a cross-border syndicate.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (JSJN) Director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said Thailand’s Subdivision 3 of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) had informed Malaysian authorities about the arrest, which took place during a roadblock operation.
“Initial checks revealed that the 25-year-old suspect from Sungai Petani, Kedah, has four prior criminal records. The suspect is believed to have played the role of transporter for a drug syndicate operating between Malaysia and Thailand,” he said on Monday.
Earlier reports from Thai media stated that the arrest resulted from a joint operation between the NSB and Chumphon Provincial Police at about 11.40 am at a roadblock in Hong Charoen sub-district, Tha Sae District, Chumphon Province, southern Thailand.
A search of the suspect’s vehicle uncovered a concealed compartment at the rear of the car, where authorities found vacuum-sealed packages containing 75 kilogrammes of ketamine, valued at over 70 million baht (approximately RM9 million).
The suspect claimed he was unaware of the illicit contents and alleged that he had been hired by an unidentified individual to drive the car from Bangkok to Malaysia for a payment of RM5,000.
