Two men were allegedly kidnapped and taken across the border to southern Thailand after a relative failed to settle a RM33,000 debt linked to drug activities and the smuggling of undocumented migrants.
The victims, aged 51 and 35, were reportedly abducted in separate incidents in Pasir Mas and Tumpat on June 6 before being transported to southern Thailand. They were released and abandoned by their captors two days later in the Mundok area.
Kelantan Police Chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said investigations revealed that the 51-year-old victim had 24 previous criminal records, while the second victim was allegedly used as collateral by a 25-year-old relative who owed money to a criminal syndicate.
According to police, the debtor was involved in drug-related activities and the smuggling of undocumented migrants. Unable to repay the debt, he allegedly offered the two relatives as guarantees to the syndicate.
Authorities identified two suspects, known as Mejah, 40, and Mamat, 32, as the individuals responsible for the kidnapping. The pair allegedly transported the victims to southern Thailand before abandoning them after police intensified efforts to track them down.
Police also discovered that one of the suspects had instructed the other to burn a Perodua Myvi used during the abduction. The vehicle was allegedly destroyed near the Gelang Mas border area in Pasir Mas in an attempt to eliminate evidence.
Mohd Yusoff said the kidnappers are believed to have panicked after family members lodged police reports, prompting extensive police operations and roadblocks throughout the area.
Fortunately, both victims were found unharmed and later returned to Malaysia through an illegal crossing point along the Sungai Golok border.
Further investigations revealed that the older victim operates a vehicle workshop, while the younger man works as a clerk in a government department.
Police have since remanded five individuals, including the debtor and his girlfriend, for 14 days until June 22 to assist with investigations. Authorities believe the two victims may have had indirect links to the activities of the man who owed money to the syndicate.
Meanwhile, police are continuing their hunt for Mejah and Mamat, who are believed to still be hiding in southern Thailand.
The case is being investigated under Section 12 of the Kidnapping Act 1961.
