KUALA LUMPUR – Three individuals holding “Tan Sri” and “Datuk” titles are suspected to be the masterminds of an international drug cartel headquartered in Malaysia.
Initial investigations revealed that the trio are hiding behind legitimate businesses in industries such as hotels, shipping, logistics and steel to avoid detection, according to a Berita Harian report.
The trio, all aged 45, allegedly use these businesses as a front to smuggle cocaine in and out of Malaysia. However, they do not use their employees to conduct the drug trade for fear of exposure.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Razarudin Husain was quoted as saying that the trio has a different set of staffers to smuggle, store and distribute the substance.
He said police are currently collecting information and evidence from local drug syndicate members, who have been arrested, before moving in on the trio.
Police have also arrested several of the cartel’s underlings in operations involving personnel from Bukit Aman and district police headquarters.
Investigations found that the drugs are being smuggled to Indonesia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia via air cargo and shipping services.
The seizure of 12 tonnes of cocaine worth RM2.4 billion in Butterworth’s air terminal in Penang on September 12, 2019, is believed to be linked to the trio.
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said authorities have identified the syndicate’s masterminds. – The Vibes, February 28, 2021
