KEPALA BATAS: Police here have stopped a drug trafficking syndicate with the arrest of two local men and seized drugs believed to be ganja worth nearly RM500,000 in two raids at Sungai Dua and Juru on Saturday (March 15).
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department acting director Deputy Comm Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said the raids were conducted based on intelligence gathered by the Bukit Aman NCID.
The first suspect is a 46-year-old man driving an SUV who was stopped by police and detained near the Sungai Dua Toll Plaza southbound at about 9.20am.
"A check on the vehicle found seven gunny sacks containing drugs believed to be ganja and ganja flowers weighing about 146.590kg and 1.075kg respectively," he said.
"Police also seized a Sig Sauer pistol, two empty magazines, and three pairs of handcuffs," he added during a press conference at the North Seberang Perai police headquarters.
Following the arrest, police detained another suspect in an area near the Juru Toll Plaza southbound at about 9.25am on the same day.
The 24-year-old suspect was driving a vehicle and acted as a sweeper for the first suspect while en route to deliver the drugs.
DCP Mat Zani said the drugs that were confiscated are worth RM487,243 and could be used by almost 300,000 drug addicts.
He said in the operations, police seized two vehicles, jewellery items, and RM5,170 cash.
DCP Mat Zani stated that the investigation revealed the second suspect, who acted as a sweeper for the syndicate, would survey the routes to watch for police presence, ensuring that the first car carrying the drugs could be transported safely.
"The investigation found the syndicate would rent cars to transport the drugs," he added.
He further stated that the syndicate had been active since early this year and all suspects had prior drug-related and criminal records, adding that the first suspect tested positive for ganja.
The suspects have been remanded for a week from March 16 to March 22 to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 8 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971.
"We will continue to track down remaining syndicate members who are still at large and bring them to justice," he said.
