Police Believe More Suspects Are Involved In Smuggling Firearms To Thailand

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) believes there are more Malaysian suspects involved in the smuggling of firearms into Thailand, following the recent arrest of a Malaysian man by Thai authorities in Sadao.

Datuk Mohamad Suzrin Mohamad Rodhi, Deputy Director of the Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (KDNKA) (General Operations Force), said that preliminary investigations by Thai authorities found that one man was arrested with a M4 firearm, while several other individuals, believed to be connected to the activity, are still at large.

"The results of a recent KDNKA meeting with the Thai Police and intelligence information indicate that several other individuals were involved but have not yet been detained.

“They are believed to have returned to Malaysia, but I cannot comment further as this matter is under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (JSJ) and the Special Branch (SB) of Bukit Aman," he said at a press conference after the KDNKA Obstacle Crossing Test at the General Operations Force Central Brigade Headquarters in Cheras today.

He added that the meeting with the Thai Police also focused on cross-border crime threats and the exchange of intelligence information between both parties.

"This cooperation is always ongoing, and we constantly exchange information. PDRM will continue to work to improve border security along land routes and at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex," he said.

Local media previously reported that police were investigating the connection of a domestic drug syndicate to the arrest of a Malaysian man with an M4 firearm and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in Sadao last month.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) Director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan previously stated that investigations were ongoing to confirm the claim that the weapons were smuggled for the use of drug syndicates.

The 46-year-old man was arrested at a roadblock by members of the Sadao District Police Station at 5:35 pm on August 29. Initial investigations found that the suspect confessed to being hired by a man to smuggle firearms into Malaysia.

A search of a vehicle with Malaysian registration plates uncovered two M4 rifles, 300 rounds of 5.56mm caliber ammunition, seven 5.56mm magazines, 100 rounds of .45mm caliber ammunition, and 50 rounds of 9mm caliber ammunition.

--BERNAMA