Johor bahru: Johor police have dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate with the arrest of two men and the confiscation of drugs valued at RM8.49 million in two separate raids in the Seri Alam area. The operations took place on Wednesday, August 5.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad reported that the raids occurred at an apartment in Masai and a terrace house in Taman Ehsan Jaya around 10:30 am. The first raid led to the arrest of a 30-year-old man, identified as the caretaker of the drug storage facility, while a 34-year-old man, believed to be involved in paying the caretaker's salary and an aide to the syndicate's mastermind, was detained at the terrace house.

Upon inspecting the apartment, police discovered 132,600 Erimin 5 pills, 53,000 ecstasy pills, 290 packets of ecstasy powder, 13 packets of ketamine, and two packets of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) powder, with a total weight of 96.76 kg. These details were shared at a press conference held at the Johor Police Headquarters.

In addition to the drugs, authorities seized four vehicles: a Honda City Hatchback, a Toyota Vellfire, a BMW M4, and a Proton Saga. Also confiscated were an EZI RAY 01 motorcycle and RM100,000 in cash. The syndicate, active since May, was using a secured apartment for drug storage, and police are intensifying efforts to apprehend the syndicate's mastermind.

The two suspects, who have prior criminal records, are being held under remand for a week starting August 6. The case is under investigation pursuant to Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.