KUALA SELANGOR: A drug distribution syndicate that took advantage of community ties to shield its operations has been crippled following the arrest of its leader and several members.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the takedown was carried out last Wednesday (Nov 19) after almost five months of surveillance, resulting in nine arrests.
Four simultaneous raids were conducted in Bukit Rahman Putra, Bestari Jaya and Batang Berjuntai.
“We faced some challenges because the group had used members of the community to cover their activities. The leader was seen as a ‘Robin Hood’ figure as he provided monetary aid and jobs to locals,” he told reporters at the Kuala Selangor district police headquarters.
Comm Hussein said the large-scale operation led to the seizure of 2,381kg of various drugs, worth an estimated RM76.2mil. Police also seized about RM1mil in cash.
“They used rented houses as storehouses and a scrap metal factory to process the drugs,” he added.
Of the nine arrested, seven have criminal records, including the mastermind who has seven previous offences.
All suspects have been remanded until Nov 26 and Nov 29.
