KUALA LUMPUR: The 40-year-old patron of a non-governmental organisation is among 10 people held for alleged involvement in a drug syndicate.
The NGO founder, with the title of "Datuk", is believed to be the leader of the syndicate which has been operating out of Sabah for over eight years.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the mastermind and the rest of the suspects were detained by the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) and Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) in a special operation in Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Semporna at about 2.30am on Christmas day (Monday, Dec 25).
"He is also a businessman who channelled proceeds from drug trafficking into various businesses to launder the money.
"He was previously detained under Section 3(1) of the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985," he told a press conference in Bukit Aman on Tuesday (Dec 26).
Others detained were a trader, 38; a personal assistant, 48; an enforcement agency personnel, 44, who was the syndicate's transporter; a drug mule, 34; a site supervisor, 32; a restaurant chain managing director, 45, who handles the syndicate finances; two drug pushers (ages not specified); and a "tonto", 48, who is a lookout for the syndicate.
"All of them were detained under Section 130V of the Penal Code (organised crime involvement) and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).
"This is the first time a drug syndicate's members are being held under Sosma.
"The investigation under Sosma is designed to enable the police to bust the syndicate completely.
"We are also investigating under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001, and the syndicate's involvement in smuggling contraband and subsidised items to Indonesia and the Philippines," Ayob Khan said.
Investigations showed the syndicate has been active since 2015, he added.
"We believe it is the biggest drug syndicate in Sabah and they have a drug network locally and overseas.
"They get their supply of syabu from a neighbouring country before it is smuggled to Sabah via flights through drug mules, and cargo ships.
"Besides Sabah, they also trafficked drugs to the Philippines and Indonesia," Ayob Khan added.
The syndicate also owns 12 businesses including in tourism, construction, petrochemical, oil and gas, he said.
"They also have a ferry and a chain of restaurants.
"The syndicate leader became an NGO patron to mask his illegal activities.
"We also detected various bungalows and luxury vehicles owned by the syndicate," he said.
The Deputy IGP said investigation on the syndicate's network is still ongoing.
"We also aim to seize proceeds from their illegal activities.
"We will not compromise with any drug syndicate," he said, noting that the war on drugs has been waged for over 40 years.
"Even today, drugs are still the nation's number one enemy.
"Despite various arrests and seizures, certain laws are seen as less effective given that it is hard to nab syndicate leaders or masterminds as they are not involved directly in the drug activities.
"That is why we are now using Section 130V of the Penal Code and Sosma to make sure (they are brought to justice)," he said.
