KUALA LUMPUR: The police have no plans to bring home a Malaysian drug kingpin that was arrested in Laos, who was then deported to Thailand and will be tried there regarding his drug operations.
In a press conference today, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said that the 41 year-old Perak-born will be tried in Thailand and if there was enough proof, it would be up to the country's judiciary to take further action.
"He was arrested and has been handed over to Thailand to face drug-related charges. If Thailand has sufficient evidence to take action against him, they can proceed.
"And yes, any Malaysian citizen outside the country who violates the laws of that particular country, we leave it to that country to take appropriate action," he said.
Previously, it was reported that the Malaysian, believed to be a drug kingpin arrested in Laos several days ago is not wanted in Malaysia but has a criminal record with three drug-related offences.
Federal Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Mohd Kamarudin Md Din told the New Straits Times that the man who was born in Perak had committed the crimes under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1985 (Special Preventive Measures), and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The Dangerous Drugs Act 1985 (Special Preventive Measures) is a Malaysian law which was enacted to provide for the preventive detention of persons associated with any activity relating to or involving in the trafficking of dangerous drugs.
Section 15 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 states: (1) Any person who (a) consumes, administers to himself or suffers any other person, which carries a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or a maximum jail term of two years if convicted.
Last week, police confirmed the case , saying they were working with authorities in that country as well as Thailand to topple the illegal ring.
Kamarudin had said the man was arrested on Dec 28, in Vientiane, Laos, for failure to possess valid travel documents under the Lao Immigration Act.
He had also said Thailand's Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) had proposed to the Laos Police to deport the suspect to Thailand, as he has been blacklisted under the Thai Narcotics Act.
Assistant National Police Chief Lieutenant-General Panurat Lakboon said the ONCB had been investigating the Malaysian man, a suspected drug trafficker who played a key role as procurer and coordinator in the drug trade in the Golden Triangle area since 2006.