Armed Forces officers arrested over alleged RM5m smuggling ring in southern Malaysia
Citing an anonymous source, Free Malaysia Today reported that the officers, allegedly from the Armed Forces' intelligence division, were suspected of colluding with the syndicate for about five years, receiving RM30,000 to RM50,000 per smuggling trip.
They allegedly leaked operational information and facilitated the entry of contraband, including drugs, cigarettes and other banned goods worth about RM5 million each month.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya reportedly confirmed the arrests and said the case was being investigated under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009, warning that such activities posed a threat to national security.
MACC also reportedly seized RM63,000 in cash, drugs, weighing equipment, liquor and imitation firearms during the operation in the Klang Valley this morning.
One of the civilians arrested — an Indonesian woman — is believed to be the mistress of one of the officers, and was reportedly without valid travel documents.
Ahmad Khusairi reportedly said that the suspects would be brought to the Putrajaya magistrates' court tomorrow for a remand application.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
![[UPDATED] Journalists arrested in smuggling syndicate bust were ex-intelligence officers](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fhjkljk777_1755227432.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Journalists arrested in smuggling syndicate bust were ex-intelligence officers](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
19 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Journalists arrested in smuggling syndicate bust were ex-intelligence officers
KUALA LUMPUR: The two journalists who were among 10 people arrested for alleged involvement in a drug and contraband smuggling syndicate were also former military intelligence officers. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the two had opted for early retirement before taking up positions as journalists at a media company. "Based on our checks, their jobs as journalists were merely a front for their actual roles in the syndicate," he said when contacted today. It was reported yesterday that graft busters obtained a seven-day remand order for individuals arrested in a smuggling racket. Among them are five military officers, two journalists from an online news agency, a company manager, an administrative assistant with the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) and a foreign woman. Four male suspects were remanded for seven days until Aug 20, two men and one woman for two days until Aug 18, while two men and the Indonesian woman were remanded for three days until Aug 15. Magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin issued the remand orders after an application by MACC at the Putrajaya magistrate's court yesterday. According to a source, the suspects, aged between 30 and 55, were arrested around the Klang Valley on Wednesday during Op Sohor by MACC's Intelligence Division with the cooperation of the police. "The senior military intelligence officers are believed to have colluded with the syndicate by leaking operational information to help them evade enforcement action. "The smuggled items included drugs, cigarettes and other goods from neighbouring countries, with an estimated value of about RM5 million a month," the source said. During Wednesday's operation, MACC also seized more than RM63,000 in cash, several packages suspected to contain drugs, weighing and measuring equipment, alcohol and an imitation firearm. MACC Intelligence Division senior director Datuk Saiful Ezral Arifin, when contacted, confirmed the arrests, adding that the case is being investigated for corruption and money laundering offences.
The Sun
19 minutes ago
- The Sun
MACC seizes RM31.4 billion in assets from corruption in five years
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has seized assets worth RM31.4 billion from corruption-related activities over the past five years. Its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the commission had also successfully forfeited assets valued at nearly RM28 billion during the same period. He said the amount included assets worth about RM183 million seized during raids on smuggling syndicates under Op Metal. 'Also seized were real estate valued at RM620 million in the investigation into the fibre network development project, as well as cash, luxury cars and bank accounts totalling RM36 million in a case involving the embezzlement of highway construction funds. 'MACC also seized luxury assets worth RM32 million from the residence of a 'Tan Sri', including 217 luxury watches and 27 designer handbags,' he said in a statement today. In addition, he said the MACC's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Division is currently managing 41 immovable properties, including land and buildings, that are still awaiting disposal. Azam described the operations as clear evidence of the MACC's proactive approach in detecting, investigating and taking firm action against those involved in corruption and money laundering. 'This figure is not just a statistic, but reflects the extent of the MACC's commitment to recovering assets from criminal proceeds for the country,' he said. He added that such efforts would not only restore revenue to the nation but also strengthen public confidence in the country's enforcement agencies. - Bernama
Malay Mail
19 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Bangladeshi duo charged in Johor Bahru with terrorism-related offences
JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 15 — Two Bangladeshi men were charged in the Sessions Court here today with terrorism-related offences. One of them, Md Mamun Ali, 31, was charged with providing support to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group through Facebook, using an account named Sahifulla Islam, between July 28, 2023, and April 30, 2024. The charge, under Section 130J(1)(a) of the Penal Code, provides a life sentence or imprisonment for up to 30 years, and is liable to a fine upon conviction. The other, Refat Bishat, 27, was charged with possessing a picture of the IS terrorist group flag on an Honor X6a mobile phone at about 4.30pm on July 10, 2025, at a house in Larkin Industrial Estate. The charge, under Section 130JB(1)(a) of the Penal Code, provides imprisonment for up to seven years or a fine, and forfeiture of the goods involved, if convicted. They were charged before Judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail, who set September 12 for mention for the appointment of an interpreter. Deputy public prosecutors Maryam Jamielah Ab Manaff and Nur Ainaa Ridzwan appeared for the prosecution in the cases, respectively. Both accused were unrepresented. — Bernama
