Malaysian police dismantled three major drug syndicates, arresting leaders and seizing over RM208 million worth of narcotics in operations across the Klang Valley.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysia Police have dismantled three major drug distribution syndicates in a series of raids across the Klang Valley. Narcotics worth an estimated RM208.25 million were seized during the operations conducted from January 30 to February 3.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan announced the arrests of the three syndicate leaders and nine other members. The first operation on January 30 led to the arrest of three local men at the Genting Sempah rest area.
A subsequent search of a car on Jalan Kuchai Lama uncovered 265 kilogrammes of suspected methamphetamine valued at RM13.25 million. Hussein stated that the first suspect was believed to be the syndicate leader, with the other two acting as transporters from the East Coast.
All three suspects have been charged under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. In separate operations around Kepong on January 31, police arrested three more individuals and seized drugs worth RM180 million.
The massive haul included 843.8 kg of MDMA, 325.2 kg of Erimin 5 pills, and 104.3 kg of Ecstasy pills. Police also confiscated 97.7 kg of ketamine powder and 9.5 kg of methamphetamine.
Hussein identified the local man among those arrested as the syndicate leader, with the two women being his girlfriends. The syndicate’s modus operandi involved renting houses in the Klang Valley as storage before distributing drugs locally and internationally.
Four cars worth RM118,800 were also seized from the syndicates. All suspects from this raid have been remanded for 12 days beginning February 11 under Section 39B investigations.
Further operations on February 2 and 3 led to the arrest of six individuals in Selangor for distributing suspected cannabis buds abroad. The group comprised three local men, one local woman, and two foreign nationals.
The first arrest involved three syndicate leaders and two foreigners at KLIA’s Main Terminal. A search of the foreigners’ luggage found 33 kg of suspected cannabis flowers intended for smuggling into the United Kingdom.
Initial investigations revealed the foreign nationals were used as drug mules, receiving RM10,000, a vacation package, and flight tickets. Interrogations led police to a house in Bandar Damai Perdana, Cheras, where 133 kg of cannabis flowers were seized.
Subsequent raids in Taman Equine and Bayan Lepas, Penang, resulted in three more arrests and the seizure of 22 kg of cannabis. All suspects in this case have been remanded for seven days until February 9.
