Johor bahru: Johor police have crippled a drug syndicate, which has been active since early this year, following a raid on an apartment at Aliff Heights, Residensi Mutiara Indah here on Monday (April 20), involving the seizure of drugs and assets worth RM1.95 million. Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the raid, carried out at about 12.30 am, led to the arrest of three men and a woman aged between 21 and 24.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the raid uncovered a significant quantity of drugs, including over 11.6 kilogrammes (kg) of MDMA, 13 packets of ecstasy powder (0.342kg), one packet of ketamine (0.02kg), one packet of syabu (0.11kg), 1,796 Erimin 5 pills, along with repackaging equipment. A Volkswagen Golf car in the residential parking lot was also inspected, leading to the discovery of three packets of ketamine. This brought the total seizure to an estimated 12.95kg, with an estimated market value of RM1.8 million.

Preliminary investigations revealed that two of the suspects acted as tenants of the house, while another is believed to be the 24-year-old mastermind of the syndicate. The woman who was arrested was identified as his girlfriend. The syndicate used the gated residence to store and repackage the drugs before distributing them to the local market.

Police also seized various assets, including two cars and cash, with a total value of RM146,710, bringing the total seizures and assets confiscated to RM1.95 million. The drugs were sourced from outside Johor and were intended for about 43,726 addicts, to be sold directly.

The three suspects tested positive for benzodiazepine, while one tested positive for ketamine. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, and all four suspects have been remanded for seven days until Sunday (April 26).