Latest news with #M.Kumar
The Star
7 days ago
- The Star
Police uncover human smuggling syndicate, rescue four victims
JOHOR BARU: Police have arrested three Myanmar nationals believed to be involved in a human smuggling syndicate that exploited victims by forcing them to work as guest relation officers (GROs). Johor police chief Comm Datuk M. Kumar said the suspects, aged 30 to 49, were arrested on May 8 in Johor Baru and Kuala Lumpur. "We also managed to rescue four women, aged 21 to 26, who are believed to be victims of labour exploitation. "We believe the syndicate lured victims to Malaysia with promises of waitress jobs at restaurants offering salaries between RM1,500 and RM2,000 a month," he said in a statement. Comm Kumar said the victims, who are also Myanmar nationals, were believed to have been smuggled into the country through Rantau Panjang, Kelantan. "They were then brought to Senai by land and forced to work as GROs in entertainment outlets. "The victims allegedly worked without pay for about two months to 'repay' the cost of entering Malaysia, which was about RM20,000," he said. Comm Kumar added that the women were confined in a locked hostel and closely monitored. "If they asked about their wages, they would be beaten. The suspects also sent them videos of abuse to intimidate them," he said. He said police also seized a padlock with keys and a tripod believed to have been used to lock and assault the victims. Comm Kumar said two of the suspects will be charged at the Johor Baru Sessions Court under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Act 670), for human trafficking offences on Friday (May 30).
The Star
29-05-2025
- The Star
Johor cops bust job scam syndicate targeting Russians
BATU PAHAT: A job scam syndicate targeting Russians has been busted following a raid on its call centre located in a bungalow here. Johor police chief Comm Datuk M. Kumar said 14 foreign and one local suspects were arrested in the operation at 5.15am on Sunday (May 25). "The suspects used the bungalow as a call centre to offer fake online jobs to victims. "Early investigations found that the syndicate has been active since March and targets Russians," he said in a statement here on Thursday (May 29). He said the suspects were aged from 21 to 38. "We also seized 14 laptops and 19 phones," he said, adding that the seized items are estimated to be worth about RM30,000. Comm Kumar said the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and Section 120B of the same Code for criminal conspiracy. "Investigation papers have been referred to the state deputy prosecutor's office for advice and police have been instructed to get additional statements to strengthen the case," he said.
Barnama
28-05-2025
- Barnama
Johor Cops Bust Two Drug Syndicates, RM2.3 Million In Drugs Seized
JOHOR BAHRU, May 28 (Bernama) -- Johor police have dismantled two drug syndicates in the state, following the arrest of eight individuals and seizure of various types of drugs amounting to RM2.3 million in separate raids at Jalan Skudai Lama and in Pontian on May 20 and 21. Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar said in the first case, seven individuals were arrested, comprising five local men and two foreign women, aged between 29 and 54. He said the syndicate, believed to have been active since January last year, used the WeChat application as their main platform for transactions.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- The Sun
Johor cops bust two drug syndicates, RM2.3 million in drugs seized
JOHOR BAHRU: Johor police have dismantled two drug syndicates in the state, following the arrest of eight individuals and seizure of various types of drugs amounting to RM2.3 million in separate raids at Jalan Skudai Lama and in Pontian on May 20 and 21. Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar said in the first case, seven individuals were arrested, comprising five local men and two foreign women, aged between 29 and 54. He said the syndicate, believed to have been active since January last year, used the WeChat application as their main platform for transactions. 'Various types of drugs were found in a car and a terrace house which had been used as a storage location. 'In total, drugs worth RM1.23 million were seized, including 7.08 kilogrammes (kg) of ecstasy powder, 1.37 kg of heroin, 139.34 grammes of ketamine, 123.10 grammes of syabu, and 127 eramin 5 pills,' he told a press conference, here today. He said police also confiscated three cars, two motorcycles, RM9,320 in cash, and jewellery worth RM32,453. Meanwhile, in a separate case, police arrested a 35-year-old local man and seized various drugs weighing 6.46 kilogrammes worth RM1.07 million during a raid in the Pontian area on May 21. He said the man was believed to have used a terraced house in the district as a drug storage and distribution hub. 'We are still tracking other members of this group, believed to have been active since March 2025,' he said.
New Straits Times
28-05-2025
- New Straits Times
WeChat used in Johor drug network, RM1.23mil in seizures
JOHOR BARU: A WeChat-based drug trafficking syndicate operating from gated residences in Johor was dismantled following a two-day special operation by the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) on May 20 and 21. Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar said the first raid at 3.30pm led to the arrest of a 32-year-old man and a 29-year-old Vietnamese woman inside a Nissan X-Trail at the lobby of a guarded apartment along Jalan Skudai Lama. Police found packets of drugs, including syabu, ketamine, and Erimin 5 pills, in the vehicle. The male suspect, who has a criminal record, had rented the apartment unit. A follow-up raid at a guarded terrace house in the district resulted in the arrest of five more suspects — four men and a Myanmar woman — aged between 29 and 54. He said the second location was used as a drug storage hub, with police seizing over RM1.23 million worth of narcotics, including 7.08kg of ecstasy powder, 1.37kg of heroin, 139g of ketamine, 123g of syabu, and 127 Erimin 5 pills. Police also confiscated three vehicles, two motorcycles, RM9,320 in cash, and jewellery worth RM32,453.20. "The syndicate, active since January, used WeChat to coordinate transactions with long-time clients. "Buyers and suppliers would use the app to agree on drop-off points, where drugs and cash were exchanged anonymously. The locations changed constantly and were only shared with trusted contacts," Kumar said at a press conference today. All seven suspects have been remanded until June 2. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. The Myanmar woman is also being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for lacking valid travel documents. In a separate operation in Pontian on May 21, police arrested a 35-year-old man suspected of drug distribution. The man, who tested positive for methamphetamine, was caught at a rented terrace house at 6pm. Police seized 6.4kg of ecstasy powder, 5.66g of ketamine, 20.04g of syabu, 76 ecstasy pills, and eight yaba pills worth RM1.07 million — enough for an estimated 21,559 addicts. Police also seized RM600 from the suspect, who has been remanded until June 2. Investigations are underway to track down other members of the syndicate.
