Latest news with #ToyotaAlphard


The Sun
24-07-2025
- The Sun
Four arrested, RM3.72 million ganja seized in Bukit Mertajam raids
GEORGE TOWN: Penang police arrested four men, including a Vietnamese national, and seized 112.1 kilogrammes of ganja worth RM3.72 million in two raids carried out in Bukit Mertajam from Tuesday to Wednesday. Acting Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said a team from the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) launched an operation from 10 am on Tuesday until 3 am yesterday, resulting in the arrest of 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'. An inspection uncovered a canvas bag containing 9,232 grams of ganja and 4,238 grams of ganja buds,' he said at a press conference at the Penang contingent police headquarters today. He added that, following interrogation and intelligence gathered, police arrested a Vietnamese man in Seberang Jaya and brought him to a nearby homestay, which was used by the syndicate as a drug storage facility for smuggling and distribution. He said that during the inspection of the homestay, police seized 105 packages of ganja buds weighing 97.7 kilogrammes. Investigations revealed that the syndicate had been renting the condominium-type unit since last week for RM2,800 a month. Based on investigations, Mohd Alwi said the syndicate sourced its supply of ganja buds from international drug trafficking networks in neighbouring countries, smuggling them into Malaysia via land routes for distribution in Penang and Kuala Lumpur. He said the man acting as a 'transporter' was paid between RM3,000 and RM4,000 for each delivery, and is believed to have completed two trips before being arrested. 'Intelligence indicates that the syndicate has been active since last March. We are now actively tracking down the mastermind and other members of the network, who are believed to still be in the state,' he added. Police also seized RM1,300 in cash and three vehicles - a Toyota Alphard, a Honda City, and a Yamaha Y16ZR motorcycle - with a total estimated value of RM199,300. The drugs seized are believed to be enough to supply approximately 230,000 addicts. 'The three local men arrested tested positive for drugs and have between seven and 13 previous records related to criminal and drug offences. Some had only recently been released from prison for similar offences,' he said. All four suspects have been remanded for seven days until July 29 to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. - Bernama

Barnama
24-07-2025
- Barnama
Four Held, Ganja Worth RM3.72 Million Seized In Bukit Mertajam
GEORGE TOWN, July 24 (Bernama) -- Penang police arrested four men, including a Vietnamese national, and seized 112.1 kilogrammes of ganja worth RM3.72 million in two raids carried out in Bukit Mertajam from Tuesday to Wednesday. Acting Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said a team from the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) launched an operation from 10 am on Tuesday until 3 am yesterday, resulting in the arrest of 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'. An inspection uncovered a canvas bag containing 9,232 grams of ganja and 4,238 grams of ganja buds,' he said at a press conference at the Penang contingent police headquarters today. He added that, following interrogation and intelligence gathered, police arrested a Vietnamese man in Seberang Jaya and brought him to a nearby homestay, which was used by the syndicate as a drug storage facility for smuggling and distribution. He said that during the inspection of the homestay, police seized 105 packages of ganja buds weighing 97.7 kilogrammes. Investigations revealed that the syndicate had been renting the condominium-type unit since last week for RM2,800 a month. Based on investigations, Mohd Alwi said the syndicate sourced its supply of ganja buds from international drug trafficking networks in neighbouring countries, smuggling them into Malaysia via land routes for distribution in Penang and Kuala Lumpur. He said the man acting as a 'transporter' was paid between RM3,000 and RM4,000 for each delivery, and is believed to have completed two trips before being arrested. 'Intelligence indicates that the syndicate has been active since last March. We are now actively tracking down the mastermind and other members of the network, who are believed to still be in the state,' he added. Police also seized RM1,300 in cash and three vehicles - a Toyota Alphard, a Honda City, and a Yamaha Y16ZR motorcycle - with a total estimated value of RM199,300. The drugs seized are believed to be enough to supply approximately 230,000 addicts.


New Straits Times
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Driver escapes with minor injuries as MPV plunges into river
ALOR SETAR: A multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) plunged into a river near Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah (HSB) last night. The 41-year-old driver, however, escaped with only minor injuries. The Kedah Fire and Rescue Department's Operations Centre said it received a distress call about the incident at 8.01pm. A team from the Alor Setar Fire and Rescue Station, led by Senior Fire Officer II Roslan Saad and comprising six personnel, was dispatched to the scene. "The Kedah operations command centre received an emergency call via the MERS 999 line, reporting that a Toyota Alphard had skidded and plunged into the river. "The victim was rescued and brought to a safe location for treatment," the department said in a statement. The victim was later taken to HSB. The operation concluded at 8.52pm. It is understood that the stretch of road near the river has seen multiple accidents, with vehicles reportedly plunging into the water in past incidents.


The Sun
11-07-2025
- The Sun
Foreigners caught running illegal taxi services near shopping mall in Subang Jaya
PETALING JAYA: Four foreign nationals operating illegal e-hailing services around a shopping mall here were caught in a special operation by the Selangor Road Transport Department (JPJ) recently. The four were two Syrians, a Yemeni and a Sudanese. They were detained on suspicion of running taxi services without any valid authorisation, Sinar Harian reported. The 30 to 40 year-old-men were said to be just fetching their friends or relatives when detained during an operation on July 6. Selangor JPJ director, Azrin Borhan said the operation was carried out based on complaints from the public noting the four cars used by the suspects, which are — Toyota Alphard, Hyundai Starex, Perodua Aruz dan Perodua Alza. In a statement today, he said the group's modus operandi involved using contacts from their home countries to find Arab tourists staying around the shopping mall area. Inspections revealed a total of eight offences, including the absence of a valid Competent Driving Licence (CDL) and misuse of Motor Vehicle Licences (LKM), he said. That particular location had become a hotspot as it is frequently visited by tourists from Middle Eastern countries, he added. 'Complaints received from the public reported the presence of several vehicles believed to be offering illegal taxi services in the area. 'Investigations also found that the fares charged were higher than those of legitimate services such as taxis or e-hailing, but passengers didn't mind as they could afford to pay,' said Azrin. According to him, one of the factors that makes tourists easily deceived by illegal taxi services is that they feel more comfortable using the services of Arab drivers. 'In addition to easier communication in the same language, some bookings are even made from their home countries before arriving in Malaysia. 'This situation facilitates the illegal operation, making it difficult for authorities and other road users to identify them,' he said. Azrin stated that firm action will be taken against any individual, including foreign nationals, found to be misusing licences or conducting public transport services without authorization. 'JPJ Selangor continuously conducts monitoring and enforcement based on all complaints received to ensure road laws are upheld. 'Any information related to illegal e-hailing activities can be reported via email at aduantrafik@ or through the e-Aduan JPJ app, including the complainant's details and incident information for further action,' he said.


The Star
09-07-2025
- The Star
South Korean tourist blames airbag for eight-vehicle pileup in Pattaya, Thailand
BANGKOK: Pattaya police took a South Korean tourist into custody for a blood alcohol test late Tuesday (July 8) night after a van he was driving caused an eight-vehicle pileup, which he blamed on an airbag. The tourist, Jun Sung, 25, was unhurt after his white Toyota Alphard collided with eight other vehicles on Jom Tien 2 Road in Pattaya City, Tambon Nong Prue, Chonburi's Bang Lamung district, at around 11:36pm. The van also struck and knocked down a tree and a road sign on the traffic island. Most of the vehicles involved were damaged or hit on their sides while parked on the roadside, except for one, which was struck at the rear while driving. The impact caused the parked vehicles to be scattered across both sides of the road. - Photo: The Nation/ANN Pratya (surname withheld), 33, told police that he was driving when the Alphard hit his car's rear before colliding with other vehicles. Jun Sung told police via an interpreter that after his van hit the rear of Pratya's car, the airbag deployed and struck his face, causing him to lose control of the van, which then hit other vehicles, a tree, and a road sign. - Photo: The Nation/ANN Pol Capt Chainaret Pengkaen, deputy inspector at Pattaya police station, said the tourist appeared to have been driving at high speed and lost control at a curve before hitting the rear of Pratya's car, causing a chain reaction accident. Chainaret added that the tourist was taken into custody for a blood alcohol test, and police would assist in mediating damage compensation for the parties involved in the accident. - The Nation/ANN