JOHOR BAHRU: Seven family members, believed to be involved in a drug trafficking syndicate which had been active around Johor Bahru and Iskandar Puteri, were detained in four separate raids early today.
Johor police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said that the family, known as the âSyed Gangâ, was led by a 64-year-old, his wife, two sons, a daughter, a daughter-in-law and a son-in-law.
He said that those detained, aged between 35 and 64, are locals except for his daughter-in-law who is a Thai citizen.
The suspected leader was previously arrested in 2003 and sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug offences and released in 2013.
âThe police also seized 109 kg of marijuana worth RM272,500 as well as five cars and three motorcycles with an estimated value of RM486,340,â he told reporters at the Johor contingent police headquarters, here, today.
Ayob Khan said that during the raid, which started at 7 am, cash amounting to RM23,190 as well as 170 Singapore dollars were also seized.
The main suspect also tested positive for methamphetamine while further checks found that the other two suspects had previous drug-related criminal records.
He said that police believed the syndicate had been active since last year and were actively tracking down the remnants of the syndicate.
âThe drug supply is believed to have been obtained from Thailand, and was later brought to the state for the local market,â he said, adding that all suspects will be remanded starting tomorrow to assist in the investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Meanwhile, Ayob said that from Jan 1 to Sept 30, the Johor Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department had arrested 14,886 individuals for various drug offences and about 2,164 tonnes of drugs were seized for the same period with a total value of RM12.45 million. â Bernama
