Drug, Illegal Immigrant Debt Leads to Kidnapping of Two Men in Malaysia

Two men were kidnapped in Malaysia and taken to Thailand, serving as collateral for a significant drug and illegal immigrant smuggling debt owed by a relative. The victims, aged 51 and 35, were abducted on June 6 from Pasir Mas and Tumpat before being transported across the border via an illegal jetty in Sungai Golok.

However, their ordeal ended on June 8 when they were abandoned by the roadside in Mundok, Thailand. Authorities believe the suspects panicked due to intensified police operations and roadblocks following the family's report of the kidnapping.

The 25-year-old relative who owed the debt, along with his girlfriend, are among five individuals remanded for 14 days to aid the investigation. Police identified the two main suspects as Mejah, 40, and Mamat, 32. They reportedly burned a Perodua Myvi used in the abduction near Gelang Mas, Pasir Mas, in an attempt to eliminate evidence.

The 51-year-old victim owned a workshop, while the other victim worked as a clerk in a government department. Investigations suggest both kidnapped men were indirectly involved with the activities of the individual who incurred the debt with the smuggling syndicate. Police are actively searching for Mejah and Mamat, who are believed to be hiding in southern Thailand.