Johor police bust syndicate selling drugs on WeChat
The syndicate, active since January, was crippled in three raids in the city on June 19.
Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar said three Malaysian men and two Vietnamese women, aged 29 to 46, were arrested in the operation from 12pm to 9pm.
"In the first raid, police stormed a serviced apartment unit that was used as a homestay and rented by one of the suspects since last month.
"Four suspects were detained and various types of drugs were seized.
"The gated and guarded apartment was used to process, repackage and store drugs before they were distributed to the local market," he said at a press conference today.
Later, a male suspect was arrested at a rented room in a terraced house.
Leads brought police to another apartment where more narcotics were found.
Kumar said the syndicate's modus operandi was to place drugs purchased by customers at pre-agreed locations unlikely to arouse suspicion, such as by the roadside, drains or rubbish bins.
A total of 16.86kg of ecstasy powder, 104g of ketamine, 1,950 Erimin 5 pills, 1.25kg of ecstasy tablets and 35 Yaba pills, with a street value of more than RM2.95 million, were seized in the operation.
"Police also seized drug-processing and repackaging equipment, five vehicles, RM9,100 in cash and jewellery, bringing the total value of drugs and assets seized to over RM3.21 million," Kumar said.
All suspects tested positive for methamphetamine.
Checks revealed that the three male suspects had criminal records related to drugs and other offences. They are also wanted under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
All suspects would be remanded until tomorrow to facilitate investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act.
The two Vietnamese women were being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for lacking valid travel documents.
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