JOHOR BARU: Drug syndicates in Johor are repackaging substances like methamphetamine and ketamine into convenient drink sachets, selling them for RM200 to RM300 each to evade detection, according to state police.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk M. Kumar highlighted the tactic, saying that the sachets, usually containing a “cocktail” of substances such as methamphetamine and ketamine, make the substances difficult to distinguish from legitimate products.
He noted that a significant amount of the 426.9kg and 2,854 litres of drugs, valued at RM47.4mil, seized so far this year were found in such packaging.
“Syndicates typically reuse packaging from flavoured drinks, as well as popular coffee and chocolate malt beverages, to conceal the drugs,” he told a press conference at the Johor police headquarters here yesterday.
The repackaged drugs were mostly distributed at places such as entertainment joints, he added.
Comm Kumar said that last Tuesday, police arrested seven individuals, including a teenage school dropout, from two different syndicates and seized various drugs worth nearly RM7mil.
He said both groups, though unlinked, shared similar modus operandi where they operated out of rented gated-and-guarded apartments in Johor Baru.
The first operation took place in Bandar Seri Alam from 7.20am until 6pm, where two men and a Vietnamese woman were nabbed.
During the raid, 9.3kg of ecstasy, ketamine, and Erimin 5 in powdered and pill form worth some RM1.59mil were found.
Comm Kumar added that the second raid in the city area lasted from 4.30pm until 2.30am the following day with four individuals, including a woman and a 17-year-old runner for the syndicate, arrested.
During the second raid, more than 32kg of ecstasy powder valued at some RM5.3mil and other substances such as methamphetamine and Erimin 5 pills were seized.
“If the drugs found in both raids were released to the market, they could cater to over 130,000 users, which would bring harm to society.
“The seven suspects arrested include the masterminds of each group.
“Three of the suspects also tested positive for drugs while three are on record for drug-related offences,” he said, adding that all seven, aged 17 to 42, have been placed under remand until tomorrow under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The offence of drug trafficking carries a death sentence or lifetime imprisonment, and caning, upon conviction.
