Razarudin said the 30-year-old drug kingpin was “hiding” in a hotel in the city centre and was arrested at 1.35am on May 13 following a raid by Bukit Aman officers.

He added that the man had entered the country earlier this year on a tourist pass to evade authorities, Bernama reported.

“Initial investigations found that the suspect was not involved in any drug distribution in Malaysia. However, further investigations are being held to determine if he had a local network or was involved with gangs here,” said the IGP.

He added that the man was deported to India at 6.54pm on Tuesday.

On Thursday, the Hindustan Times reported that Navin Chichkar was arrested in Malaysia before being deported and placed in the custody of India’s Narcotics Control Bureau.

Navin was said to be heading the transnational drug trafficking syndicate while in Malaysia, overseeing the shipment of cocaine from the US to India, and further distribution domestically and internationally.

He allegedly absconded to Thailand before moving to Malaysia while the Interpol had issued a Red Notice for him.