KUALA LUMPUR: More than RM7mil worth of assets belonging to a Sabah drug syndicate have been seized, says Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.
He said the assets - seized from a syndicate allegedly headed by a NGO patron who is a Datuk - were seized under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
"Since the arrests of the leader and its members on Dec 25, we have seized various assets.
"Among the assets are 22 frozen bank accounts containing RM420,000, 18 luxury vehicles worth RM6.6mil, jewellery and wristwatches worth about RM100,000 and RM35,000 cash," he said.
Ayob Khan said this at a press conference after a mock cheque presentation to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) at Bukit Aman on Monday (Jan 8).
On top of the 10 suspects, including the Datuk arrested on Dec 25, Ayob Khan said police also detained a 43-year-old enforcement officer on Dec 29.
"He was the syndicate's transporter. He previously worked in Sabah and now he is based in the Klang Valley," he said.
The Deputy IGP did not rule out the possibility that more arrests would be made.
"We want to bust the syndicate totally, meaning we want to ensure all of its remnants are behind bars.
"Interrogation of the suspects is still ongoing and we will complete the investigation before referring the matter to the Attorney-General's Chambers," he said.
The police are also working with the Internal Revenue Board (IRB) to track down other assets belonging to the syndicate.
"We will track down all assets belonging to the syndicate. We are also actively looking for drug labs and dens belonging to the syndicate," he said.
It was reported that a 40-year-old Datuk, who is a patron of an NGO, was among 10 people detained for their involvement in a drug syndicate.
The NGO founder, who is believed to be the syndicate leader, has been running the drug trafficking ring from Sabah for over eight years.
Ayob Khan had said the mastermind and the rest of the suspects were detained by the Narcotic Crime Investigation Department (NCID) and Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom )in a special operation in Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Semporna at about 2.30am on Christmas day.
"He is also a businessman who channelled proceeds from drug trafficking into various businesses to launder the money.
"He was previously detained under Section 3(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act Special Preventive Measures," he said.
Others detained were a 38-year-old trader, a 48-year-old personal assistant, a 44-year-old enforcement agency personnel, who was the syndicate's transporter, a 34-year-old drug mule, a 32-year-old site supervisor, a 45-year-old managing director of a restaurant chain (who handles the syndicate's finances), two drug pushers and a 48-year-old "Tonto" who monitors the drug activity.
"All of them were detained under Section 130V of the Penal Code (Organised Crime) and Sosma 2012.
"This is the first time a drug syndicate is being held under Sosma. The investigation under Sosma is designed to enable the police to bust the syndicate thoroughly.
"We are also investigating it under the act and the involvement of the syndicate in smuggling contraband and subsidised items to Indonesia and the Philippines," Ayob Khan said.
Investigation showed the syndicate has been active since 2015, he said.
"We believe it is the biggest drug syndicate in Sabah and they have a drug network locally and overseas.
"They get their supply of syabu from a neighbouring country before it is smuggled to Sabah via flights through drug mules and cargo ships.
"Besides Sabah, they also trafficked drugs to the Philippines and Indonesia," he added.
The syndicate also owns 12 businesses including in tourism, construction, petrochemical, oil and gas, he said.
"They also have a ferry and a chain of restaurants.
The syndicate leader became an NGO patron to mask his illegal activities.
"We also detected various bungalows and luxury vehicles owned by the syndicate," he said.
The Deputy IGP said the investigation into the syndicate's network is still ongoing.
"We also aim to seize proceeds from the illegal activity.
We will not compromise against any drug syndicate," Ayob Khan added.
