BUKIT MERTAJAM: Police have dismantled a drug syndicate following the arrest of six suspects and the seizure of 37.8kg of methylenedioxy-N-hydroxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) worth RM6.3mil.
State police chief Comm Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said all suspects, who are locals, were apprehended during a raid by the state Narcotic Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) between 2pm on Tuesday (May 20) and 4.30am on Wednesday (May 21).
"The suspects, aged between 33 and 41, were detained at several locations in George Town," he said during a press conference at the Central Seberang Perai police headquarters on Wednesday (May 21).
Comm Hamzah said police, based on intelligence work, detained a suspicious man during the first raid at a roadside in George Town.
Despite initially resisting arrest, the suspect led police to a public car park in George Town, where they discovered drugs packaged in a car.
"In the car, police found two zippered cloth bags containing 532 purple and gold packets filled with MDMA powder, weighing about 18,420g.
"Police also found five boxes containing 777 plastic packets of various colours filled with MDMA powder, weighing 19,380g," he said.
Comm Hamzah said police also confiscated a plastic package containing paper and plastic bags intended for couriering the drugs to their customers.
Following the discovery, police arrested another five suspects in different locations in George Town.
He said police believe the syndicate used the car to store the drugs.
During the raid, police confiscated seven vehicles worth RM297,000, jewellery worth RM1,500, and RM2,550 in cash.
Police believe the syndicate has been active since early this year, and the seized drugs could be used 800,000 times.
"We also believe the drugs were meant for customers in entertainment centres in Penang," he said.
Comm Hamzah said five of the suspects tested negative for Benzo and ketamine.
The suspects also have prior criminal and drug records.
They have been remanded for seven days from May 21 to May 27 to assist in investigations.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for the death sentence or life imprisonment upon conviction.
