Two men abducted in Kelantan over relative’s RM33,000 drug, migrant smuggling debt; police hunt suspects

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — Two men were abducted in Tumpat and Pasir Mas in Kelantan after a relative allegedly failed to repay a RM33,000 debt linked to drug activities and migrant smuggling.

Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the victims, aged 51 and 35, were found safe in Mundok, Thailand, by Thai authorities two days after the June 6 incident, according to a report published in Harian Metro today.

He said the two men, including the 51-year-old victim who has 24 previous criminal records, were allegedly kidnapped as collateral for the actual borrower, who was their relative.

“Following the incident, we arrested four men and a woman to assist in investigations. The actual borrower, a 25-year-old man, and his girlfriend were also detained and have been remanded until June 22.

“Our investigation found that the abduction was linked to a RM33,000 debt involving drugs and the smuggling of undocumented migrants.

“We are still hunting two main suspects, identified as Mohamad Syamsul Azroy Che Anuar, 32, and Hamzah Muhamad, 40, who are believed to have fled to Thailand.

“The suspects also burned a Perodua Myvi in Gelang Emas, Pasir Mas, which is believed to have been used in the abduction,” he told reporters after attending the Kelantan police contingent’s monthly assembly in Kota Bharu today.

Mohd Yusoff said Kelantan police have sought assistance from Thai authorities to track down the two wanted men, who are believed to be hiding in the neighbouring country.

He added that both suspects have 10 previous records each involving drug and other criminal offences.