Kidnapping of pastor linked to group in southern Thailand — IGP

KUALA LUMPUR: A drug and arms smuggling syndicate involved in the kidnapping of pastor Raymond Koh in February is believed to be linked to a group in southern Thailand.

Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the information was derived from the interrogation of three individuals detained last month.

"We suspect that the group (drug and arms smuggling syndicate) headed by a suspect who was shot dead last month in Baling, Kedah, has links with another group which abducted the pastor.

"So, we are working together with our counterparts in Thailand in the on-going investigation into the disappearance of pastor Raymond Koh," he told reporters after a handing-over-of-duties ceremony in Bukit Aman, here, yesterday.

Last month, police found several documents and pictures related to pastor Raymond Koh Keng Joo, 62, reportedly missing since February following the arrest of three members of a group suspected to be actively involved in drugs and arms smuggling at the border area. - Bernama