Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement today that the men, aged between 26 and 38, were nabbed in Selangor and Pahang in separate operations, from Aug 2 to Sept 17.

“The first suspect is a 37-year-old Bangladeshi who owns a restaurant in the Bukit Bintang area, and is believed to have been involved in firearms smuggling.

“The man had been on Interpol’s Red Notice and was arrested on Aug 19. He has since been deported to Bangladesh to face charges there,” Khalid said.

“The second suspect is a Nepali who operated entertainment and lodging businesses. He was arrested on Aug 19 and sent back to his country early this month,” the top cop said of the 38-year-old who was believed to have forged documents for international terrorists.

According to the IGP, the third foreigner is a 26-year-old Moroccan who had worked here as a welder, and is a member of the Islamic State (IS) militant group.

“He had been arrested by Turkish security forces while he was trying to enter Syria in February this year. Upon his release, the suspect entered Malaysia in May this year.

“The suspect was arrested on August 2 and repatriated back to Morocco yesterday,” Khalid said.

The lone Malaysian arrested is a 34-year-old who worked as a personal driver to a businessman. The IGP said the suspect is believed to have links with known Malaysian IS militant Muhamad Wanndy Mohamad Jedy and had actively promoted the terrorist organisation in his Facebook account.

The local suspect is being detained under Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).