Johor cops bust 'nomad' syndicates, seize RM3mil in drugs

Comm Kumar and his officers with some of the seized items.

JOHOR BARU: Police busted two drug syndicates that moved frequently to stay ahead of the law, and seized narcotics worth almost RM3mil in separate operations last week.

Johor police chief Comm Datuk M. Kumar said the operations by the state Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) also led to the arrest of six suspects.

“The first operation was on Oct 15. We arrested two local men and a woman in a raid at an apartment in Johor Baru, and seized various drugs.

“The three suspects, aged 17 to 39, also tested positive for drugs.

"One of them has drug-related offences on his record," he told a press conference at state police headquarters here on Sunday (Oct 20).

He said they found 1.65g of ketamine, 5.025kg of ecstasy powder and 189ml of liquid ecstasy in the apartment.

“The total value of drugs seized is worth RM871,068.

"We also seized a car and RM1,850 in cash,” he said.

In the second operation, held on Wednesday and Thursday (Oct 16 and 17), three suspects were arrested.

“The second operation involved three separate raids on apartment buildings in the city.

“Two men and a woman, between 27 and 44 years old, were arrested.

"All three tested positive for drugs, and two have criminal records,” Comm Kumar said.

Vape cartridges believed to contain drug-laced liquids were also seized.

“We seized five bottles and 10 cartridges, with a total value estimated at RM27,000.

“Each cartridge is priced between RM200 and RM300, which is way above the price of normal vape liquid.

“We have sent the liquid for testing and are waiting for the laboratory results," Comm Kumar added.

Other drugs seized in the operation included 16.345kg of ecstasy pills, 225g of ketamine, 68.87g of syabu, 40g of Erimin 5 pills, 115g of ecstasy pills, and 14.75g of cannabis.

“The value of drugs seized comes to RM2.827mil. We also seized a car and RM160 in cash,” he said.

According to Comm Kumar, both syndicates would move from one apartment to another to avoid detection.

“They would rent an apartment to store, process and pack the drugs.

“After a week or two, they would move and rent an apartment somewhere else," he said.

He added that the suspects have been remanded for seven days and are being probed under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for the death penalty, or life imprisonment with whipping, upon conviction.