Melaka: Police have busted a syndicate believed to be involved in processing and storing drugs believed to be 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), with seizures estimated to be worth RM86.78 million, following three raids in the Melaka Tengah area earlier this month.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan stated that the operation, carried out based on intelligence, led to the arrest of four local men and one woman aged between 23 and 55. The raids were initially conducted after the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) found a location suspected of being used as a 'calling centre', which was later discovered to function as a drug storage facility.
The first raid on March 6 at a terrace house in Bertam resulted in the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of 1.73 kilogrammes of Erimin 5 pills, along with 13 mobile phones, seven notebooks, and a laptop. This information was disclosed at a press conference at the Melaka contingent police headquarters (IPK) in Ayer Keroh, where Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar was also present.
The second raid on March 8 in Kenanga led to the arrest of two more suspects and the seizure of 10.88 kg of liquid suspected to be MDMA, 2.75 kg of powder suspected to be MDMA, 0.002 kg of Erimin 5 pills, 0.004 kg of ecstasy pills, and 0.01 kg of ketamine. The third raid on the same day at a double-storey terrace house in Krubong resulted in the seizure of 274.08 kg of liquid suspected to be MDMA, 303.85 kg of powder suspected to be MDMA, 0.17 kg of ecstasy pills, 0.15 kg of Erimin 5 pills, and 1 kg of ketamine, along with various types of equipment used to process drugs.
In total, the seizures comprised 284.96 kg of liquid suspected to be MDMA, 306.60 kg of powder suspected to be MDMA, 0.17 kg of ecstasy pills, 1.88 kg of Erimin 5 pills, and 1.01 kg of ketamine. The investigation found that the syndicate had been active in Melaka for about six months, with drugs believed to have been obtained from the Klang Valley before being processed and mixed into beverages like juices, herbal drinks, chocolate drinks, and tea.
Hussein mentioned that these beverages were discreetly distributed to customers at entertainment centers around Melaka, with prices between RM300 and RM500 per bottle. These drinks were not sold openly in the market, and orders were accepted via telephone, with a ledger book seized containing records of orders and transactions.
Preliminary urine screening tests indicated that the fifth suspect tested positive for methamphetamine, while the first and fourth suspects had previous criminal records related to drug offenses. The first to third suspects have been remanded for seven days until March 12, while the fourth and fifth suspects have been remanded for five days until March 13. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.