JOHOR BARU: Police have seized close to RM3mil worth of drugs and arrested eight men, including the suspected mastermind of a smuggling syndicate.
Johor police chief Comm M. Kumar said the suspects were arrested in a special operation involving the Johor and Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Departments on Wednesday and Thursday (Jan 24 and 25).
"The syndicate is believed to have been active since June, smuggling drugs to a neighbouring country through sea routes with the help of boat skippers.
"The suspects, all locals, were arrested in five raids around the Johor Baru, Muar, Permatang Pauh (Penang) and Muadzam Shah (Pahang) areas.
"The first raid was on a house in Parit Jawa, Muar, which is believed to be the storage and transit point for the drugs before they are smuggled out," he told a press conference at state police headquarters here on Sunday (Jan 28).
He said police will also work with their counterparts in the neighbouring country to investigate the syndicate's activities.
Comm Kumar added that the suspects, aged 23 to 40, tested negative for drugs.
"However, seven of them have records involving drug and criminal offences, while one is on the wanted list," he said.
The suspects have all been remanded for seven days from Thursday.
Comm Kumar said the drug haul from the operation comprised 82.86kg of syabu, 2.78g of ecstasy pills and 2.5g of ketamine, worth a total of RM2.735mil.
"We also seized eight cars, 12 motorcycles, gold and jewellery, cash and watches amounting to RM1.788mil," he said, adding that the total value of all seized items, including the drugs, came to RM4.523mil.
He added that the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
