Police seize more assets belonging to drug kingpin

Police have confiscated more assets belonging to a man suspected to be a drug kingpin in Klang, Selangor yesterday, bringing the total amount to RM371.7 million.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Mohd Khalil Kader Mohd said the latest assets seized were 15 business lots worth RM5.56 million.

He said the suspect is believed to be in hiding in a neighbouring country.

“We are working with the neighbouring country’s authorities to track down the suspect,” he told reporters after launching the Narcotic Airport Division at KLIA today.

Mohd Khalil said the police believed there were more assets acquired through gain from drug trafficking.

"Investigations will be conducted to locate the suspect's property in the country," he said.

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said the police had recently sealed assets worth RM366 million belonging to a local drug kingpin including RM6 million cash, RM21.6 million in bank accounts, RM143 million in company shares, properties worth RM198 million and various vehicles valued at RM2.7 million.

Abdul Hamid said the suspect probably would have known that his cocaine business, disguised as a coal business, had been smashed in a raid in Penang last year.

On Sept 10, police busted an international drug smuggling syndicate after seizing 12 tonnes of cocaine mixed with coal worth RM2.4 billion in three containers at the North Butterworth Container Terminal.

The syndicate which had brought in the drugs in 60 sacks of coal from South America was crippled in an operation dubbed "Ops Eagle" conducted in Butterworth and Bayan Baru in Penang, and Padang Serai, Kedah. — Bernama