The five senior officers were among 10 arrested by the MACC in raids across the Klang Valley yesterday.

A source said the other five – comprising two online media journalists, a company manager, an administrative assistant at the Malaysian Medical Association and a foreign woman – were also remanded today.

“The senior officers, who were from the armed forces’ intelligence division, are believed to have colluded with and leaked operational information to the smuggling syndicate to help them evade enforcement action,” the source said.

The smuggled goods reportedly included drugs, cigarettes and other contraband from neighbouring countries, with an estimated monthly value of RM5 million.

Investigations revealed that the syndicate had been bribing the military officers with payments ranging from RM30,000 to RM50,000 for each smuggling operation.

More than RM63,000 in cash, drugs, weighing equipment, liquor and imitation firearms were seized from the raided premises.

According to the source, the smuggling network involving the senior military officers was extensive and complex.

MACC intelligence division senior director Saiful Ezral Arifin confirmed the arrests when contacted and said the case is being investigated under corruption-related offences and money laundering activities.

The remand orders – which ranged from two days to seven days – were issued by magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin this morning following a remand application by MACC at the Putrajaya magistrates’ court.