JOHOR BARU: Police have seized drugs worth RM28.3mil and arrested seven people for suspected involvement in a drug syndicate, says Comm Datuk M. Kumar.
The Johor police chief said this is the largest drug seizure in the state this year and the arrests were made during raids across Kluang, Johor Baru and Iskandar Puteri.
He added that a 33-year-old man believed to be the syndicate's leader was also arrested, effectively dismantling the ring.
“The raids took place from 8pm on Nov 3 until 11am on Nov 4, leading to the arrest of seven suspects, comprising three local men, two local women and two foreign women aged between 27 and 62.
“These operations involved three separate raids... where a large quantity of substances believed to be illegal drugs was seized.
“We believe this group is the largest wholesale syndicate in Johor, (involved in) buying, repackaging and selling drugs on the local market,” he told a press conference at state police headquarters here on Tuesday (Nov 12).
He said investigations found the syndicate had been operating from rented terrace houses in gated and guarded communities where they stored and packaged drugs.
“Drug tests on three of the suspects came back positive for amphetamine and ketamine.
"One suspect was found to have a record of drug offences," he said, adding that police believe the syndicate has been active since August.
The seized drugs included 158.8kg of ecstasy powder valued at RM26.5mil, 21,510 ecstasy pills worth RM1.2mil, 11,500 Erimin 5 pills valued at RM300,000, and 6.1kg of ketamine worth RM305,500.
The total drug haul, valued at RM28,317,947, is estimated to have been enough to supply 857,784 drug users.
“It has become a trend for drug syndicates to pack drugs in powdered drink packaging, which is readily available in shops.
"Each packet is sold for between RM200 and RM250,” he said, adding that police are also investigating the source of these packets.
In addition to the drugs, police also seized processing equipment, four vehicles worth RM203,000, RM12,200 in cash, jewellery worth RM45,044, and foreign currency totalling RM2,961. The total value of assets seized is RM263,205, Comm Kumar said.
The suspects are under remand until Thursday (Nov 14) to help with investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
If convicted, they face the death penalty, or life imprisonment with whipping.
The foreign suspects also face charges under Sections 6(1)(c) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for lacking valid travel documents and overstaying.
