Cops bust drug syndicate in Penang with 12 arrests, drugs worth RM2.16mil seized

GEORGE TOWN: The police have busted a drug syndicate, which had been active in the northern part of the country, with the arrest of its members and seized drugs worth about RM2.164mil.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Razarudin Husain said 12 suspects were nabbed in eight separate raids at several locations in Kedah and Penang on Friday (Nov 13).

He added that the suspects arrested included a woman from Laos and three Bangladeshi men.

"The suspects, aged between 22 and 58, were arrested during an operation that was conducted by the Bukit Aman NCID with collaboration from the Penang NCID," he said at a press conference at state police contingent headquarters on Sunday (Nov 15).

Comm Razarudin said the police found 872 lumps of dried leaves believed to be marijuana weighing about 865.7kg during the raids at several locations in Penang and Kedah.

He added that the police also confiscated cash amounting RM752 and six vehicles worth RM210,000, saying that the syndicate was led by a 56-year-old man and has been active since early this year.

"The drugs were believed to have been supplied from a neighbouring country and were meant for distribution in the northern and southern regions of Peninsular Malaysia," said Comm Razarudin.

He said the suspects has been remanded for seven days since Nov 13 and three of them have prior criminal and drugs offences.

He added that four of the suspects tested positive for marijuana, methamphetamine and Erimin 5.

The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty upon conviction.