KUALA SELANGOR: A pseudo “Robin Hood” was arrested after a five-month surveillance operation that led to the dismantling of a drug distribution ring operating in Bestari Jaya.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said that the raid was conducted on Nov 19 after nearly five months of surveillance, leading to nine arrests.
A total of four raids were conducted in Bukit Rahman Putra and Bestari Jaya.
“We had some difficulties because the group used the local community to shield their activities. You can say that the leader was a sort of ‘Robin Hood’ figure to them, as he provided monetary aid and offered jobs.
“We also found that the syndicate ran a poultry farm and sold cows while also operating a legitimate scrap metal business,” he said at a press conference at the district police headquarters here yesterday.
Cover tactics: Comm Hussein (third from right) said the drug syndicate used a metal factory in Bestari Jaya to process the drugs. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
He added that the large-scale operation led to the seizure of 2,381kg of various drugs, worth around RM76.2mil and around RM1mil in cash.
“They used rented houses as storage and a scrap metal factory to process the drugs,” he said.
The mastermind also paid spotters to act as informants to notify them of any suspicious activities in the area.
“We believe the syndicate had been active since early 2024 and was just about to upgrade their capabilities with new machinery,” he said.
Among those arrested were seven who had previous offences, including the mastermind who was linked to seven criminal cases.
All suspects have been remanded.
In an unrelated case, police intelligence stopped a drug mule’s attempt to traffic drugs after police found narcotics stuffed inside his underwear.
The initial bust was made at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal Two on Nov 20 after receiving word from their Taiwanese counterparts regarding the drug transporter.
“The man was detained and a body inspection led to the discovery of around 400g of suspected heroin and 7g of meth.
“This arrest led to follow-up action where a raid was conducted at an apartment in Bukit Jalil where four more suspects, including three foreigners, were arrested.
“In total, the drugs seized were worth RM38,000,” he said.
