POLICE have uncovered evidence linking several serving police officers to a major drug trafficking syndicate allegedly operating from Langkawi, in a case authorities say has transformed the resort island into a key narcotics transit hub in northern Peninsular Malaysia.
The network, allegedly masterminded by a police officer known as “Mr A”, is believed to have smuggled drugs from a neighbouring country through Langkawi before distributing them to the Klang Valley and other parts of the country.
Royal Malaysia Police narcotics investigators said intelligence gathered during a large-scale operation in Langkawi between April 10 and April 15 exposed collusion between traffickers and several police personnel.
Director of the Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department, Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, said authorities had already identified several individuals, including police officers and personnel allegedly involved in protecting or facilitating the syndicate’s operations.
“Drug trafficking activities in Langkawi have been under the attention of the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department since the beginning of this year before the special operation was launched,” he said in an interview with Harian Metro.
“Based on intelligence and information obtained, Langkawi was identified as one of the hubs for drugs smuggled from a neighbouring country through Malaysian waters.”
According to Hussein, narcotics originating from Satun in southern Thailand were smuggled into Langkawi before being transported onwards to the Klang Valley.
He said this trafficking route was confirmed through a recent seizure involving 170 kilograms of cannabis flowers in the Klang Valley.
“I want to remind the individuals and several police officers involved in this drug trafficking activity that they will not escape. They will be investigated and action will be taken under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985 and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012,” he said.
“Investigations and follow-up action are ongoing against individuals identified as being involved in the syndicate.”
Hussein stressed that the case remained under close surveillance and warned that enforcement operations would continue based on intelligence findings.
“Drug trafficking activities in Langkawi remain under strict monitoring and Bukit Aman’s Narcotics Department will not compromise with any individual, including enforcement officers, found assisting the syndicate,” he said.
The revelations follow earlier reports alleging the emergence of a new organised narcotics network in Langkawi several years after the death of notorious local drug figure “Pablo Escobar Langkawi”, also known as Mat Nahar.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail previously said the police force would not protect any officer involved in criminal activities, although investigations were still underway to identify those allegedly connected to the syndicate.
The crackdown in Langkawi resulted in one of the largest anti-drug operations on the island in recent years.
Hussein said a total of 231 raids were conducted during the five-day operation involving 103 officers and personnel from Bukit Aman and local narcotics units.
The operation led to the arrest of 191 individuals for various drug-related offences.
“All individuals involved are being investigated under various provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and related laws,” Hussein said.
“Some of them have also been identified as drug users and traffickers.”
Police said five suspects were charged under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries severe penalties for trafficking offences.
Four individuals were investigated under Section 39A(1), two under Section 39A(2), while 19 others were investigated under Section 12(2) of the same act.
Authorities also launched investigations against two individuals under Section 6 of the Poisons Act 1952, while 128 suspects tested positive for drugs under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act.
An additional 35 individuals were found to be wanted by police or linked to other offences.
Police estimated the total narcotics seized in Langkawi at approximately 180 kilograms with a street value of RM13.7 million.
The operation also triggered follow-up raids in the Klang Valley, where police seized a further 170 kilograms of cannabis flowers worth an estimated RM14.1 million and arrested three more suspects.
Hussein said investigations were continuing to dismantle what authorities believe remains an active and highly organised trafficking network. - May 14, 2026
