KUALA LUMPUR: Police have seized over 3.5 tonnes of MDMA, also known as ecstasy, worth more than half a billion ringgit in a series of raids in the Klang Valley.
The Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) raided multiple drug labs and other premises on Sept 10, resulting in a record-breaking haul this year under "Ops Pine".
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said four local men aged from 34 to 51 were detained.
The IGP said the first three suspects were detained at a drug-processing lab in Kepong Industrial Park.
"We seized various items, including 136 barrels and a plastic container believed to be filled with 3,330kg of MDMA, 563 glass bottles containing 1,200kg of chemicals as well as various equipment used for drug processing.
"In a second raid in the same area, 25.3kg of MDMA in powder form along with 231.15kg of the drug in liquid form were also seized. We also confiscated more than 947.35kg of chemicals.
"In a third raid in Dataran Templer, we detained the fourth suspect in a house but no drugs were found," he said in a press conference at the Police Training Centre on Wednesday (Sept 17).
Mohd Khalid said in total, police seized 3,586.45kg of MDMA worth RM598.9mil.
"It is the biggest drug haul this year. The drugs could have been supplied to 12 million users," he said.
He said the syndicate had been operating since July.
"They would rent premises in industrial areas and convert it to drug labs.
"We believe the drugs are meant for the local market and overseas, including Australia and Indonesia," he said.
He added that police also seized assets worth RM336,244 including five luxury vehicles, a forklift truck and some jewellery.
"Only one suspect tested positive for ketamine. All suspects have been remanded for further investigation.
"We believe they are connected to an international drug trafficking network," he said, adding that police are tracking down other syndicate members and uncovering the extent of the network.
