KUALA LUMPUR: Three individuals with the titles of Tan Sri and Datuk who are suspected to be the masterminds of a drug cartel in the country are under police observation.

According to a Sinar Harian report, the Director of the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department, Bukit Aman, Datuk Razarudin Husain said all the individuals used cunning tactics by hiding behind businesses such as hospitality, shipping, transportation and steel to avoid their activities being sniffed by the authorities.

"They also do not use the services of staff involved in legitimate business for drug trafficking and smuggling activities to prevent information leakage," he said.

Among the business activities owned by the individual aged 45 and above were the distribution of cocaine abroad.

In fact, he said, they had other staff to smuggle drugs through national waters and storage until the process of distribution abroad.

"Currently, we are gathering information and solid evidence from local drug trafficking syndicate members who have been arrested before taking action against Tan Sri and Datuks involved," he added.

Razarudin said PDRM has detained several of the mastermind’s men through the success of previous operations involving the Bukit Aman level, the State Contingent and the District Police Headquarters (IPD) throughout the country.

"We want to gather strong evidence before arrests are made to ensure that the three masterminds who are active in Peninsular Malaysia receive appropriate punishment in accordance with the provisions of the law," he added.

Initial intelligence also found that there were subordinates or instructions to the three individuals to arrange the delivery of drugs to Indonesia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia using air cargo and shipping services.

"The case of the seizure of 12 tonnes of cocaine worth RM2.4 billion hidden in coal as well as the history of the biggest drug seizure in the country at the Butterworth North Cargo Terminal, Penang, on September 10, 2019 is believed to be related to the Tan Sri and Datuks," he added.

Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador revealed that the PDRM has identified the main mastermind of the drug smuggling syndicate in the country who is hiding behind the titles of Tan Sri and Datuk.

In fact, Abdul Hamid explained, he will ensure that the individuals involved are imprisoned or subject to action under the Crime Prevention Act (Poca) as soon as their involvement can be proven by the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN).