RM1.72mil worth of drugs seized in Johor raids

The Star

10 hours ago

Major haul: Comm Kumar (second from right) showing the seized items at the press conference in Johor Baru. — Bernama
JOHOR BARU: A drug syndicate was busted with the arrest of nine members and the seizure of some RM1.72mil worth of drugs following three separate raids here, say police.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk M. Kumar said the raids were carried out between June 20 and 21 at three apartments.
He said those arrested comprised four local men, a local woman, a Singaporean man, two Vietnamese women and a Laotian woman, aged between 21 and 64.
He added that the mastermind of the syndicate, who is a 52-year-old local man, was among the suspects detained.
He said police also seized 10.044kg of ecstasy powder, 140g of methamphetamine, 61.50g of ketamine, 5.7g of Erimin 5 pills, 40g of yaba pills, 78g of ecstasy pills, and 33ml of suspected drug-laced liquid.
According to Comm Kumar, two of the units were converted into entertainment centres while another was used to repackage drugs.
'They operated from the gated and guarded apartments that were rented under the name of one of the suspects and a third party.
'They used two of the apartments to attract people for entertainment purposes while supplying drugs to their clients,' Comm Kumar said in a press conference at the Johor police headquarters yesterday.
He said the drugs were packaged as tea bags while drug-laced liquids were stored in vape cartridges at the third unit.
Comm Kumar added that the Singaporean suspect was believed to be a wanted person in his country for drug trafficking activities.
'We are working closely with the Singapore police over the matter.
'The suspects sell a kilogramme of ecstasy for around RM160, while the drugs packed into tea bags were sold at about RM5,000 per kg.
'The total seizure could feed the habit of about 33,000 drug users.'
Comm Kumar also said that drug processing equipment, two cars, along with cash worth RM1,500 and some jewellery, were confiscated during the raids.
'Following investigations, it was found that four of the suspects are on record for offences related to drugs and crimes.
'We also conducted urine tests on the suspects, and all tested positive for methamphetamine,' he said.
Comm Kumar said they have been remanded until today for investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries a death sentence or life imprisonment and whipping, if convicted.
'The four foreign suspects are also being investigated under Section 6(3) and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63,' he added.
Comm Kumar also disclosed that from January until June this year, police seized a total of 1.08 tonnes and 5,816.5 litres of drugs valued at RM106.9mil collectively.
He urged the public to continue providing information to help combat illegal activities by channelling information to the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department hotline at 012-208 7222.