KUALA LUMPUR: A syndicate supplying drug-laced juice to entertainment outlets and private parties has been busted with the seizure of almost half a million ringgit worth of narcotics.
Police believe this is the latest modus operandi used by syndicates to avoid detection where partygoers are supplied with drinks containing a mixture of various drugs.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Kamarudin Md Din said five men and a woman aged between 19 and 40 were also detained following raids at two luxury condominiums in Cheras and Kajang on Tuesday and Wednesday (Jan 16 and 17).
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"Among those arrested is a 39-year-old man who is the mastermind of the syndicate.
"We also seized 54.55 litres of juice containing a mixture of drugs, 1.68kg of MDMA powder, 144g of ketamine, 16g of ganja, 5k of ecstasy powder, 550 erimin 5 pills and 2,900 ecstasy pills. The drugs are worth RM448,850," he told a press conference at Cheras police headquarters on Friday (Jan 19).
Comm Mohd Kamarudin said initial investigation showed the syndicate used the condominium to process the drugs before storing the "drinks".
"They used a mixture of at least five different drugs.
"They supplied the juice to entertainment outlets and private parties in the Klang Valley.
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"Nowadays, it is not uncommon for those detained at clubs to test positive for several different kinds of drugs.
"Each bottle of juice is priced from RM180 to RM300 depending on the size and narcotics content.
"We believe the syndicate has been active since the middle of last year," he said.
The suspects have been remanded until Tuesday (Jan 23), Comm Mohd Kamarudin added.
"The drugs seized could have been supplied to 27,000 users.
"We also seized assets worth RM489,408, including three luxury vehicles, cash and jewellery.
"Each of the syndicate members is paid RM30,000 monthly," he said.
Comm Mohd Kamarudin said police would track down the remnants of the syndicate.
"We urge those with information on any drug-related activity to contact the NCID hotline at 012-2087222," he said.
