Penang man and Thai girlfriend nabbed, RM25,000 worth of ganja seized in anti-drug op
GEORGE TOWN: Police arrested a local man and his Thai girlfriend on suspicion of drug trafficking in raids around Pulau Tikus and Tanjong Tokong here on Thursday (July 10).
North-East OCPD Asst Comm Abdul Rozak Muhammad said the couple, in their 20s, was arrested in Pulau Tikus road at 11.30pm by a team from the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division during an anti-drug operation.
"Police were then led to a house in Tanjong Tokong where a search turned up 15 compressed blocks of dried leaves wrapped in transparent plastic, suspected to be marijuana, weighing 8,200g and worth RM25,420.
"Police intelligence showed this syndicate has been active since the beginning of this year, but further investigations are needed to identify the syndicate's network at large," he told the media at district police headquarters here on Monday (July 14).
ACP Rozak said the drugs, estimated at 16,400 doses, originated from a neighbouring country and were meant for distribution in Penang.
He said the male suspect tested positive for benzodiazapene-type drugs and had four offences on his criminal record, while the woman tested negative and had no priors. – Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
Thai Police Arrest Woman At Centre Of Monastic Extortion Scandal
By Wilawan Watcharasakwet BANGKOK, July 15 (Bernama) -- Thai police have arrested a woman at the centre of a sex and extortion scandal involving several senior Buddhist monks, on charges including misappropriation of property and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiet Pankaew, said the investigation began following a case on June 18 involving a senior monk and former abbot of Wat Tri Thotsathep in Bangkok, who was allegedly blackmailed. bootstrap slideshow According to Jaroonkiet, the suspect, a 35-year-old woman, was apprehended at her residence in a luxury estate in Nonthaburi, after police uncovered evidence of a 380,000 Baht transfer from another senior monk's Ayutthaya temple bank account to her personal account. 'This woman is considered a dangerous individual who needs to be apprehended without delay. The evidence led directly to her arrest today,' he told a press conference on Tuesday. He added that preliminary investigations had revealed that the woman had a personal relationship with the monk, which began in May 2024. Jaroonkiet said a financial probe also uncovered links to multiple temples, as well as video footage and other materials suggesting acts of extortion and blackmail. He emphasised that the authorities had no intention of tarnishing the reputation of the Buddhist institution, but the operation was necessary to curb misconduct and maintain the sanctity of the religion. 'We will take firm and impartial action against all individuals found to be involved,' he added.
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Defence minister demands public apology for assault on Cambodian soldier at Ta Mone Thom
A former Thai soldier assaulted a Cambodian in uniform at Ta Mone Thom Temple on July 13. Defence minister Tea Seiha (left) has called for a public apology. - Supplied PHNOM PENH: Cambodia's National Defence Minister has demanded that a former Thai patrol soldier, along with Thai authorities, issue a public apology for the unprovoked assault on a Cambodian soldier that took place at Ta Mone Thom temple on July 13. This demand was made in spite of the fact that the suspect has already been arrested by Thai authorities and is facing legal consequences. Speaking today, July 15, at an event to welcome Cambodian peacekeepers returning from the Central Africa Republic, defence minister Tea Seiha explained that on July 13, the former Thai soldier initially approached to shake hands but then suddenly attacked the Cambodian. 'If there was just an apology, I would be satisfied. There could be an apology; I believe there has been an informal apology. However, it hasn't been publicly announced that he apologized to Cambodia,' Seiha said. He further noted that the suspect, identified as 'Sommai', claimed he attacked the Cambodian soldier out of anger after seeing Cambodian civilians at Ta Mone Thom. He alleged that Cambodian soldiers prevented Thai civilians from accessing the temple. According to Seiha, Sommai face legal action in Thailand, as Thai authorities claim Ta Mone Thom belongs to them and plan to prosecute him in a Thai court. However, the minister argued that the suspect should be tried in Cambodia since the incident occurred on Cambodian soil. For now, Cambodia is monitoring the situation. 'What frustrates me even more is that some Thai lawyers have volunteered to defend him. Defending someone when the crime is clear is pointless. Where is the respect for the law in Thailand?' he asked. He noted that the lawyers publicly volunteered their services on social media, seemingly to gain popularity. The arrest was widely reported in Thai media but no updates on the nature of the charges he will face have been made available. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Supreme Court hears fourth session on Thaksin's hospitalisation during sentence
BANGKOK: The Supreme Court continues its examination of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's hospitalisation, hearing testimonies from key witnesses involved in his treatment during imprisonment. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Tuesday (July 15) heard the fourth session regarding former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's hospitalisation on the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital during his sentence. Previously, the court had heard testimonies from several witnesses, including the director of the Bangkok Remand Prison, medical staff at the Corrections Department Hospital, and correctional officers. Thaksin's lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, who represents the former Prime Minister, revealed that six witnesses would be called to testify during today's session. These witnesses include the Director-General of the Department of Corrections, a former prison commander, and senior officials from the Corrections Department Hospital, all of whom were involved in Thaksin's transfer to the hospital for treatment. The lawyer speculated that the Director-General would likely be questioned about the relevant laws, regulations, and procedures related to the prison system and the use of discretion in granting Thaksin permission to seek medical treatment outside the prison. The court continues to allow the public and media to attend the hearings, but with the condition that no recording devices are permitted in the courtroom. Participants are allowed to listen only. Notably, Dr Warong Dechgitvigrom, leader of the Thai Phakdi Party, and Dr Tul Sittisomwong, a leader of the multi-coloured shirts, have consistently attended the hearings. Tuesday's hearing saw four of the six witnesses testify in the morning. The court inquired into the procedures regarding Thaksin's admission to prison, his medical examination by prison nurses, his transfer to the Police General Hospital, his urgent surgery, and the extension of his hospital stay for 30 and 60 days. The witnesses confirmed that orders were signed based on medical advice, in line with ministerial regulations and the Corrections Act, including the suspension of Thaksin's sentence. In the afternoon, two senior officials from the Corrections Department Hospital, Dr Phongphak Areeyapinun and Dr Watchai Mingbunjerdsuk, testified. In August 2023, Thaksin was imprisoned upon his return to Thailand after years of exile. During his incarceration, Thaksin was transferred to the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital for urgent medical treatment on the first night of his imprisonment due to health issues requiring immediate attention. Thaksin never returned to prison after being transferred to the hospital. This has sparked significant criticism within Thai society regarding the fact that he did not serve his sentence as per the court's ruling. The decision to allow him to receive treatment outside the prison has been questioned in terms of transparency and fairness in the legal process. Many view his failure to return to prison after treatment as an exploitation of legal loopholes to avoid serving his sentence. There has also been suspicion regarding the discretionary power used by officials involved in this decision. - The Nation/ANN
