KUALA LUMPUR: An international drug syndicate was busted, leading to over 18 tonnes of drugs worth RM1.53bil seized, one of the biggest ever recorded.
Six individuals - three local men and three foreign women - were also detained in a series of raids in the Klang Valley on Dec 16.
The raids also uncovered a massive drug processing lab located in a three-storey bungalow and various other premises used for drug storage.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the first raid was conducted in Cheras, where all six suspects were detained.
"A search of a house led to the seizure of six bottles of liquid believed to contain methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), weighing about 3kg.
"A second raid at Taman Taynton View, Cheras, uncovered suspected cocaine in powder form weighing about 738kg, liquid cocaine weighing approximately 3 tonnes as well as various drug-processing equipment," he told a press conference at the KL police headquarters on Saturday (Dec 20).
In a third raid at an industrial premises in Sungai Chua, Kajang, Selangor, Comm Hussein said the raiding team seized 3 tonnes of ketamine in powder form, 10.06 tonnes of liquid ketamine weighing and additional processing equipment.
"The fourth raid, carried out at a premises in Taman Industri Mega, Bandar Teknologi Kajang resulted in the seizure of 28 white sacks containing 1,400 yellow plastic packets of suspected ketamine powder weighing about 1.4 tonnes along with drug-processing tools," he added.
Comm Hussein said the raids resulted in various drugs worth RM1.53bil seized, including 3kg of MDMA, 4 tonnes of cocaine and 14.49 tonnes of ketamine.
"It is definitely one of the biggest drug seizures ever.
"The drugs could have been supplied to 68.5 million users," he said.
Investigations revealed that a local man acted as the storekeeper and assistant chemist, while the other two local men were his trusted aides responsible for managing residential houses and business premises used as illegal drug-processing laboratories, Comm Hussein.
"The three foreign women detained were the girlfriend of the male suspects.
"The syndicate is believed to have been active since April, catering to the international market, using homes and commercial premises as clandestine laboratories.
"Our investigations showed the syndicate had been making various shipments overseas before the raids," he added.
He said the three local men tested positive for various drugs, including ketamine and methamphetamine.
"They have been remanded until Tuesday (Dec 23)," he said.
He said the police have also taken action under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, with total seizures valued at RM389,000.
"Items seized include six vehicles," he added.
Comm Hussein said the success of the operation was the result of continuous intelligence work and cooperation from the public, stressing that there will be no compromise with individuals involved in drug trafficking.
“The NCID remains committed to combating drugs to protect present and future generations. Drugs are the nation’s number one enemy,” police said, urging the public to channel information via the NCID hotline at 012-2087222.
