TEMERLOH — Police have arrested a 30-year-old Malaysian and a 28-year-old Cambodian suspected of stealing cables from the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.

Temerloh district police chief, Acting Assistant Commissioner Mohd Nasyim Bahron, said the suspects were caught around 7.05 pm Friday at a shed in Mentakab, Sinar Harian reported today.

“During the raid and arrest, both men tried to escape but were caught after a struggle,” he was quoted as saying.

He added that methamphetamine was found in the Malaysian man’s pocket. 

Police also seized equipment believed to be used for stealing cables, including a grinder.

Both men also tested positive for methamphetamine in urine screening.

“The local man has three previous drug records and was charged at Temerloh Magistrate’s Court under Sections 39(A)1 and 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” Mohd Nasyim was quoted as saying.

The Cambodian was detained under the Immigration Act for lacking valid documents and remanded until October 10.

The suspects admitted to several cable thefts with two others, known as ‘Musang’ and ‘Sepet’, who remain at large.

Police also recovered a pair of jeans, a red bag, a 5.16-gram packet of methamphetamine, and a grinder set.

Investigation papers were submitted to the Pahang Deputy Public Prosecutor’s Office on October 1.

Police previously arrested eight men aged 29 to 45 between September 10 and 14 for allegedly stealing and selling ECRL cables.