8-1-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) The Malaysian drug lord recently detained in Laos will face prosecution in Thailand for trafficking offences, Malaysian police confirmed on Monday.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said Bukit Aman will not seek to extradite the suspect back to Malaysia. “The suspect is from Perak, and he is married to a Thai woman. We will leave it fully to Thai authorities,” he told a Bukit Aman press conference.
Ayob stressed any Malaysian committing crimes abroad should face justice in those countries as applicable. Reports indicate the 39-year-old fugitive, an alleged drug dealer and key syndicate member, was arrested during a joint Thai-Lao operation last week after evading capture in Laos.
According to Assistant Thai Police Chief Panurat Lakboon, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board has probed the Malaysian since 2006 for his senior role procuring and coordinating Golden Triangle drug trafficking. Panurat said the suspect was detained in Laos on 29 December.
“He has worked with networks across Thailand, Malaysia, China, Singapore and Laos. He also used Thailand for money laundering and smuggling drugs regionally including to Malaysia, Taiwan and Australia,” he outlined.
Panurat described the high-profile arrest as the result of “continuous investigation and close coordination” between Thai, Malaysian and Lao authorities.
