Latest news with #MohdKhairiKhairuddin
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Loan shark gang robs and assaults man, leaving him naked in forested area
KUALA TERENGGANU: A group of loan shark syndicate members robbed and assaulted a man, stripped him naked, and left him in a wooded area after he contacted them in an attempt to secure a loan, police said. Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairuddin said the 24-year-old victim filed a report at the Kuala Terengganu district police headquarters yesterday, detailing the incident. According to the statement, the victim contacted a member of the syndicate via WhatsApp to apply for a loan. However, he was lured into a car, beaten, stripped of his clothing and left naked in the bushes near Bukit Khor, Marang. "The suspects also took the victim's personal belongings, including his mobile phone, wallet, and identification card," Mohd Khairi said in a statement today. Following the report, the Commercial Crime Investigation Department immediately launched a special operation codenamed Op Vulture, which resulted in the arrest of five men aged between 16 and 39. Mohd Khairi said the suspects later admitted to being involved in illegal moneylending activities around Kuala Terengganu since March. Items seized during the operation included two Proton Saga cars, five mobile phones, and the victim's clothes, which were recovered based on information provided by the suspects. Background checks revealed three of the five suspects had previously committed crimes. Mohd Khairi said police have obtained a four-day remand order for all suspects to assist in the investigation.
New Straits Times
11-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Cosmetics entrepreneurs, influencers on Terengganu police radar
KOTA BARU: Terengganu police believe cosmetics influencers and product founders in the state are involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. State police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairuddin said police were looking into this possibility after the recent arrest of a cosmetics brand founder, who was found in possession of 1kg of syabu. Police also seized about RM1 million worth of assets after the suspect was arrested on April 28. "Although we have not received any public complaints regarding such activities, our intelligence has identified several individuals suspected of using their businesses as fronts for drug trafficking and money laundering. "The Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department is conducting further investigations to determine their level of involvement," he told the New Straits Times. Khairi acknowledged that scrutiny of cosmetics founders and influencers had increased after Kelantan police said it was investigating the link between these entrepreneurs and crime. "The state police have placed several individuals under surveillance. We suspect that some began as small-scale entrepreneurs before turning to the drug trade as a means to boost their capital. "They may have taken the opportunity to supplement their income through drug distribution while maintaining a legitimate front by selling beauty products," he said. He added that initial findings suggest narcotics were sourced from other states or neighbouring countries before they were distributed locally and abroad. "Smuggling methods include overland, maritime and air routes," he said. "We are monitoring them closely and will take firm action if there is concrete evidence of criminal involvement," he said. On May 7, Kelantan police said they had information about influencers and cosmetics founders involved in the drug trade. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat, however, said he could not divulge details as investigations were ongoing.
South China Morning Post
05-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
Rogue Malaysian beauty influencers are money laundering for drug gangs, police say
Police have seized luxury cars, jewellery and cash from a social media influencer in northeastern Malaysia , as authorities uncover links between a booming online beauty industry and drug syndicates needing to launder money. Advertisement Assets valued at around 1 million ringgit (US$235,000) – including a Range Rover and Toyota Alphard – were confiscated on Friday following the arrest of a beauty entrepreneur in Terengganu state. The suspect was detained on April 28 with 1kg (2.2lbs) of methamphetamine. Terengganu police chief Mohd Khairi Khairuddin said the suspect, whose identity has been withheld, was being held for interrogation and would be released on Monday. 'The results of the examination of the suspect's body found a green plastic bag containing 1.02kg of syabu,' Mohd Khairi said on Friday, using the local term for methamphetamine. Terengganu police commissioner Mohd Khairi Khairudin. Photo: National Security Council of Malaysia The suspect also tested positive for Nimetazepam – a powerful sedative – and could face the death penalty or life imprisonment, along with no fewer than 12 strokes of the cane, if convicted. Advertisement
The Star
01-05-2025
- The Star
Terengganu cops short-circuit syndicate stealing power for bitcoin mining
KUALA TERENGGANU: Police have dismantled a syndicate stealing electricity for illegal bitcoin mining in Hulu Terengganu and Marang on Wednesday (April 30). Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairuddin said the operation was carried out in collaboration with Tenaga Nasional Berhad's (TNB) special engagement against losses (SEAL) unit. Raids on two premises - one in Bukit Perpat, Hulu Terengganu, and another in Wakaf Tapai, Marang, led to the seizure of 45 bitcoin mining machines worth an estimated RM225,000. "The syndicate operated from residential and commercial properties, believed to have been used to tap electricity illegally and avoid detection. "Along with the machines, various other equipment used in the operation was also confiscated. The electricity theft is estimated to have cost TNB around RM36,000 in monthly losses," he said in a statement on Thursday. Mohd Khairi said no arrests were made during the raids, but all seized items were taken to the respective district police headquarters for further investigation. The case is being investigated under Sections 379 and 427 of the Penal Code, as well as Section 37 of the Electricity Supply Act 1990. Convicted offenders may face up to five years' imprisonment, fines of up to RM100,000, or both. - Bernama
Malay Mail
01-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Bitcoin mining syndicate busted in Terengganu for electricity theft worth RM36,000 monthly
KUALA TERENGGANU, May 1— Police have dismantled a syndicate involved in electricity theft for illegal bitcoin mining during Op Letrik in the Hulu Terengganu and Marang districts yesterday. Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairuddin said the operation was carried out in collaboration with Tenaga Nasional Berhad's (TNB) Special Engagement Against Losses (SEAL) unit. Raids on two premises — one in Bukit Perpat, Hulu Terengganu, and another in Wakaf Tapai, Marang, led to the seizure of 45 bitcoin mining machines worth an estimated RM225,000. 'The syndicate operated from residential and commercial properties, believed to have been used to tap electricity illegally and avoid detection. 'Along with the machines, various other equipment used in the operation was also confiscated. The electricity theft is estimated to have cost TNB around RM36,000 in monthly losses,' he said in a statement today. Mohd Khairi said no arrests were made during the raids, but all seized items were taken to the respective district police headquarters for further investigation. The case is being investigated under Sections 379 and 427 of the Penal Code, as well as Section 37 of the Electricity Supply Act 1990. Convicted offenders may face up to five years' imprisonment, fines of up to RM100,000, or both. — Bernama
