Kuala Lumpur: The Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) busted two drug trafficking syndicates in separate operations around Selangor and the capital on Feb 4 and 9, resulting in drug seizures worth RM12.88 million.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, NCID director Datuk Seri Khaw Kok Chin revealed that on Feb 4, the police successfully dismantled a syndicate involved in processing methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) powder, following several raids conducted in the Klang Valley. The operation led to the arrest of the syndicate’s leader in a parking lot at Taman Suntex, Cheras. The suspect subsequently directed the police to a luxury condominium in Cheras, which was used as a storage site for various drugs.
At the condominium, police arrested three men and one woman and seized drugs estimated at RM1.45 million. The confiscated substances included 9.8 kilograms of heroin base, 1.17 kg of syabu, 233.45 grams of heroin, 131.83 grams of MDMA powder, and 113.17 grams of yaba pills. The seized drugs were estimated to be sufficient for 72,752 drug addicts. Authorities also confiscated two vehicles and three wristwatches valued at RM36,750.
Preliminary investigations suggested that the syndicate sourced its drugs from a neighboring country and had been active since October last year, using entertainment centers in the Klang Valley as distribution points. The syndicate leader and two other members had criminal records with eight to 20 prior offenses related to drugs and other criminal activities. All five suspects, aged between 36 and 46, tested positive for drugs.
In a separate operation on Feb 9, police seized various drugs worth RM11.43 million following the arrest of a 31-year-old local man at a condominium parking lot in Batu Caves. Five bags containing 50 packages of syabu were discovered hidden in the backseat of the man’s Toyota Fortuner SUV, along with 32 packages suspected to contain ketamine in the vehicle’s boot.
The arrest led authorities to a condominium unit where they found six gunny sacks containing 36 packages of syabu and 139 packages of ketamine. The total amount of drugs seized was estimated to be sufficient for 1.02 million drug addicts. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, who had no prior criminal record, was paid a salary of RM10,000 by the syndicate and earned a commission of RM2,000 for each drug delivery to customers. Further investigations are ongoing under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.