JOHOR BARU: A drug syndicate has used a tyre shop in Kempas as a syabu packing centre for the overseas market.
Johor Police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the syndicate has been operating at the tyre shop since August.
"The drugs are hidden in LED light sockets, and the syndicate is using services by a courier company to send them overseas," he said in a press conference at the Johor Police Contingent headquarters.
Comm Kamarul Zaman said police conducted two separate raids, one in Kempas and another in Kulai, from 5pm on Oct 3, until 3am on Oct 4.
He said three male suspects - two local men and a male foreigner aged between 33 and 40, were arrested in the raid in Kempas.
Comm Kamarul Mamat said all suspects tested negative for drugs and did not have previous criminal records.
"We seized 10.35kg syabu worth RM341,616," he said.
Comm Kamarul Mamat said police also seized two cars worth RM240,000, a RM3,500 ring, three watches valued at RM4,500, RM1,505 and S$409 (RM1,418.04) cash.
He said police were also looking at two individuals to assist with the Kempas raid.
Comm Kamarul Zaman Mamat said in another raid at Muar, the police found 18 packets of syabu weighing 19,768.00g worth RM652,344 abandoned in the mangrove forest of Parit Jawa.
Comm Kamarul Mamat said police had been monitoring the mangrove forest from 1pm to 3pm on Oct 6, waiting to see if anyone would come for the drugs packed in Chinese tea packages.
Comm Kamarul Mamat said all suspects have been remanded from Oct 4 to Oct 15, and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
