Kota kinabalu: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have dismantled an international drug trafficking syndicate, seizing narcotics and assets valued at an estimated RM174 million during a series of raids labeled as Op Coleoptera, conducted on January 20 and 21.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail announced that seven coordinated raids took place in Penampang, Inanam, Kota Kinabalu, Port Klang, and Teluk Sepanggar Port. These operations resulted in the arrest of eight individuals, aged between 23 and 45, including two women.
The police seized a significant quantity of drugs, including 3,043.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, 102.5 kilograms of ketamine, 90 kilograms of ecstasy pills, four kilograms of vape liquid suspected to contain cocaine, and 2.6 kilograms of Erimin 5 pills. At a logistics premises in Port Klang on January 21, officers confiscated 250 packages of suspected methamphetamine weighing 255 kilograms, believed to be intended for shipment to Sabah.
Mohd Khalid highlighted that if these substances had reached the market, they could have adversely affected approximately 16 million individuals. He noted that the syndicate primarily utilized sea routes for transportation, storing drugs in shipping containers at logistics hubs before distributing them internationally. The syndicate had been operational for several years.
Initial urine tests indicated that five suspects tested positive for methamphetamine and ketamine. Four of these individuals have been charged under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, while another suspect was detained under Section 6 of the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985. Two others have been released on bail as prosecution witnesses.
In a separate operation, Op Bayu 2, conducted between February 5 and 8, police arrested four individuals, including a woman, aged between 20 and 35, in the Penampang area. Mohd Khalid reported that this operation resulted in the seizure of drugs worth approximately RM 69.659 million, along with a four-wheel-drive vehicle, cash, and a mobile phone. The public is encouraged to provide information via the JSJN hotline at 012-208 7222.