Latest news with #Alwi
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
RM3.93 million worth of drugs, assets, uncovered in major Penang bust
GEORGE TOWN: Police arrested four men, including a Vietnamese, and seized 112.1kg of ganja buds worth RM3.72 million in two raids in Bukit Mertajam on Tuesday, acting Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said. He said a team from the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department conducted the operation between 10am on Tuesday and 3am the following day, leading to the arrest of the four men, aged between 31 and 39. In the first raid, police arrested two men in a hotel room and another man in the hotel lobby, who acted as a "transporter"" "Upon inspection, a canvas bag was found containing 9.2kg of ganja and 4.2kg of ganja buds," Alwi said. "In follow-up operations, we later detained a Vietnamese man in Seberang Jaya. "He led us to a homestay in the same area, which was being used as a storage facility for the drugs smuggled and distributed by the syndicate," he told a press conference at the state police contingent headquarters here today. Alwi said during a search of the homestay, police seized 105 packets of ganja buds weighing 97.7kg. He said investigations revealed that the syndicate had rented the condominium-type homestay for the past week at a monthly rate of RM2,800. "The syndicate sourced the ganja buds from international drug distribution networks in neighbouring countries and smuggled them into Malaysia via land routes for distribution in Penang and Kuala Lumpur," Alwi said. "The man acting as the 'transporter' was paid between RM3,000 and RM4,000 for each trip to deliver the ganja buds. "He is believed to have made two trips before police nabbed him." Alwi said during the raid at the hotel, the "transporter" had just arrived to deliver the ganja buds while the two other men were waiting to receive the supply. "They had used the hotel as a transit point," he said. "As for the foreign man, who was arrested, he was involved in handling the ganja bud transactions between the local syndicate and the international network. The man, who works in the oil and gas industry, claimed to have entered the country on a business trip," he said, adding that the man was based in Thailand. Intelligence showed the drug distribution activities have been going on since March and that police are actively tracking down the mastermind and the syndicate's network. Police also seized RM1,300 in cash and three vehicles - a Toyota Alphard, a Honda City and a Yamaha Y16ZR motorcycle - all valued at RM199,300. The total amount of drugs seized could supply around 230,000 drug users. "Three of the local men arrested tested positive for drug abuse and have criminal records ranging from seven to 13 prior drug-related offences. "Some of them had recently been released from prison for drug-related crimes," Alwi said. All the suspects have been remanded for seven days until July 29 to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Online investment scam leaves store supervisor RM624,000 poorer
GEORGE TOWN: A 56-year-old store supervisor in Batu Kawan has fallen victim to an online investment scam involving a mobile application known as XGI Horizon, resulting in losses amounting to RM624,617. The Seberang Prai Selatan district police confirmed that a police report was lodged on Monday after the victim realised he had been duped. Acting Penang district police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said an initial investigation revealed that the victim first came across an online advertisement promoting high-return investments via Facebook in early February this year. He said intrigued by the promise of quick profits, the victim contacted the male suspect via WhatsApp. "The victim was subsequently instructed to download the XGI Horizon app, register as a member, and begin investing. "Between Feb 18 and April 24, he made a staggering 31 transactions totalling over RM624,000 into 10 different corporate bank accounts, each belonging to different companies," he said in a statement today. Alwi said the victim's suspicions were aroused when he attempted to withdraw his profits through the app, only to be asked to make additional payments before any disbursement could be processed. "Realising he had been scammed, the victim then came forward to lodge a police report," he added. The case is currently being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years, caning, and a fine upon conviction.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Drug trafficking syndicate smashed – RM64,000 in narcotics seized, 4 arrested
GEORGE TOWN: Police have crippled a drug trafficking syndicate operating across Penang and Kedah with the arrest of four men and the seizure of over RM64,000 worth of drugs and assets in a two-day operation. The arrests were made between 4pm on Sunday and 5am yesterday by a team from the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), following intelligence gathered on the syndicate's activities, believed to have been active since May. Acting state police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said three suspects, aged between 32 and 61, were detained at a vehicle parking lot in Seberang Jaya, where police discovered 10 compressed packets of dried leaves believed to be ganja, hidden in two canvas bags in the car boot. "The total weight of the seized ganja from the first raid was 9,920g, with an estimated street value of RM53,500," he said in a statement today. Acting on leads from the initial arrests, police conducted a follow-up raid in Gurun, Kedah, where another man was arrested. Alwi said further inspection led to the discovery of a gunny sack containing seven packets of suspected ganja weighing 6,995g, four packets of heroin (30.34g), and three packets of syabu (3.45g). "The combined volume of drugs seized is sufficient for about 35,000 uses," added Alwi. Urine screenings revealed that three of the suspects tested positive for methamphetamine, while the fourth tested positive for a combination of amphetamine, methamphetamine, ketamine and morphine. Alwi said all four had prior records of criminal and drug-related offences. The suspects have been remanded for seven days from yesterday until July 27 to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping of not less than 12 strokes upon conviction. As part of asset forfeiture measures under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, police also seized a Perodua Rusa valued at RM11,000. The total value of the drug haul and seized assets is estimated at RM64,500. Alwi reaffirmed the police's commitment to eradicating drug distribution networks, adding that joint efforts with other enforcement agencies would continue in a bid to strengthen intelligence sharing and enforcement actions. The public is urged to report any information related to drug abuse or trafficking to the NCID via its hotline at 012-208 7222.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Four arrested, RM64,500 drugs seized in Penang, Kedah raids
GEORGE TOWN: Police have crippled a drug trafficking syndicate operating across Penang and Kedah with the arrest of four men and the seizure of over RM64,000 worth of drugs and assets in a two-day operation. The arrests were made between 4pm on Sunday and 5am yesterday by a team from the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), following intelligence gathered on the syndicate's activities, believed to have been active since May. Acting state police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said three suspects, aged between 32 and 61, were detained at a vehicle parking lot in Seberang Jaya, where police discovered 10 compressed packets of dried leaves believed to be ganja, hidden in two canvas bags in the car boot. "The total weight of the seized ganja from the first raid was 9,920g, with an estimated street value of RM53,500," he said in a statement today. Acting on leads from the initial arrests, police conducted a follow-up raid in Gurun, Kedah, where another man was arrested. Alwi said further inspection led to the discovery of a gunny sack containing seven packets of suspected ganja weighing 6,995g, four packets of heroin (30.34g), and three packets of syabu (3.45g). "The combined volume of drugs seized is sufficient for about 35,000 uses," added Alwi. Urine screenings revealed that three of the suspects tested positive for methamphetamine, while the fourth tested positive for a combination of amphetamine, methamphetamine, ketamine and morphine. Alwi said all four had prior records of criminal and drug-related offences. The suspects have been remanded for seven days from yesterday until July 27 to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping of not less than 12 strokes upon conviction. As part of asset forfeiture measures under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, police also seized a Perodua Rusa valued at RM11,000. The total value of the drug haul and seized assets is estimated at RM64,500. Alwi reaffirmed the police's commitment to eradicating drug distribution networks, adding that joint efforts with other enforcement agencies would continue in a bid to strengthen intelligence sharing and enforcement actions. The public is urged to report any information related to drug abuse or trafficking to the NCID via its hotline at 012-208 7222.
New Straits Times
09-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Manager loses RM693,000 in online investment scam
GEORGE TOWN: A 70-year-old man, who manages a cargo company here, lost RM693,000 after falling victim to an online investment scam. The Commercial Crime Investigation Department of the southwest district police headquarters received a report yesterday from the victim, who was promised a 100 per cent return on his investment within 48 hours through a scheme linked to Industrial Securities International. Deputy Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the victim first came across an investment advertisement on Facebook in early March. He said the victim subsequently contacted a female suspect via WhatsApp, who provided further information about the scheme. "Between June 4 and July 3, the victim made 12 payments into five bank accounts. "He realised he had been scammed when the promised returns never materialised and the suspect demanded additional payments to release the supposed profits," he said in a statement today (July 9). Alwi said the victim lodged a police report to enable further investigation under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. He warned the public to be cautious when dealing with online investment schemes.
