This was revealed by Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador at a special press conference this evening.

He said four of the suspects were detained in Thailand while the other two were arrested in Malaysia.

“We received information from the Royal Thai Police that they had arrested three Thai nationals who were injured and had sought treatment in Songkla and Hatyai.

“The three smugglers have since confessed that they were involved in the incident,” Hamid said, adding that another suspect was also arrested by Thai police after an investigation was opened.

He said those arrested were believed to be part of a group of 13 smugglers, who had entered Malaysia to smuggle ketum leaves and cough medicine.

“Seven sacks of ketum leaves and cough medicines were found at the site of the shooting,” he added.

A GOF personnel was killed and another critically injured in a shootout with suspected smugglers at the Malaysia-Thailand border in Perlis early today, Bernama reported.

Corporal Baharuddin Ramli died at the scene while Corporal Norihan a/l Tari was badly injured and has been sent to the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital in Kangar.

An initial investigation found that the two GOF personnel were engaged in intelligence work at the location when they were confronted by two groups of smugglers comprising locals and foreigners.

According to Bernama, Thailand’s Commander of the 5th Infantry Division, Major-General Santi Sakuntanak said a letter has been sent to the Thailand-Malaysia Border Coordination office to express condolence to the family members of the GOF personnel who was killed as well as a message of support to the injured personnel.