Smugglers in uniforms
KUALA LUMPUR: They were senior military officers, tasked with monitoring and preventing smuggling activities.
But they were turned, and became masterminds of a major smuggling syndicate in the south of the country.
For the last five years, the five senior officers allegedly leaked military operational information to smugglers and conspired to bring in prohibited items such as drugs, cigarettes and other contraband from neighbouring countries.
The smuggling activities were estimated to be worth around RM5mil a month. The officers are alleged to have amassed more than RM3mil in illicit gains over the five years.
However, their campaign came to an end when the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) nabbed the five and five other civilians – including an Indonesian national – all aged between 30 and 55 in simultaneous raids around the Klang Valley early yesterday morning.
An Indonesian woman without valid travel documents, believed to be the mistress of one of the military officers, was also detained.
The bust, codenamed Ops Sohor, was carried out by the MACC's Intelligence Division with support from its Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad from 6.30am.
The officers, all from the Armed Forces' intelligence unit, included two retired members of the division.
The suspects are believed to have received bribes of between RM30,000 and RM50,000 for each smuggling run, a source said.
The raids, which followed a year-long surveillance operation, also led to the seizure of more than RM63,000 in cash, several packets of drugs and alcoholic beverages.
The sources described the smuggling network involving the senior officers as 'large and complex' and difficult to dismantle.
When contacted, MACC deputy chief commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed the arrests. The case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009.
He stressed that the operation should serve as a serious reminder to all, given that the smuggling posed a threat to national security.
'Despite having multiple agencies to monitor and take action, smuggling activities still persist,' he said.
All the suspects will be brought before the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court today for a remand application under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
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