Suspected NKVE cable thief arrested with drugs, cutting tools

KUALA LUMPUR: A 37-year-old man suspected of attempting to steal cables along the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) on Oct 15 was also found with drugs in his possession.

Bukit Aman Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohammed Hasbullah Ali said the suspect was arrested at Km26.6 of the expressway, along the stretch from Bukit Lanjan towards the Jalan Duta toll plaza, at 12.40am.

He said the suspect was first detected by a subcontractor who alerted an NKVE Expressway Mobile Patrol Vehicle team.

"The patrol team was conducting routine accident prevention and traffic enforcement duties when they received information about the suspected cable theft.

"Upon arriving at the scene, the team found the suspect who had been held by the subcontractor," he said when contacted today.

Hasbullah said a search of the suspect and his black sling bag uncovered several types of suspected drugs.

"These included 0.5g of dried leaves believed to be cannabis, six packets containing 5.5g of suspected methamphetamine and two yaba pills weighing 0.5g.

"Police also discovered a bottle believed to be used for consuming drugs," he said.

He added that the PLUS subcontractor handed over several items connected to the theft attempt.

Among the items seized were a section of electrical cable, a cordless saw, a saw battery, a crowbar, a utility knife, a flashlight, and 10 cutting discs.

The suspect was arrested, and all seized items were taken to the Sentul district police headquarters for further investigation.

The case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft, as well as Sections 39A(1), 6, and 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

The arrest highlights growing concerns over cable theft targeting transport infrastructure, following recent incidents involving the Kajang MRT Line and the NKVE.

In a separate incident on the Kajang MRT Line, thieves cut about 100m of cable between Phileo Damansara and Pusat Bandar Damansara stations early yesterday before abandoning the materials.