KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has struck a major blow to a drug trafficking network following one of the biggest drug seizures ever recorded.
Some 18 tonnes of drugs worth RM1.53bil were seized while six individuals – three local men and three foreign women – were detained in a series of raids in the Klang Valley on Dec 16.
It is learnt that the international drug syndicate had been operating since April, catering to the overseas market, specifically eastern countries.
Sources said the syndicate would recruit locals to run drug processing labs as well as drug storage premises.
The syndicate managed to send several drug shipments overseas prior to the drug bust.
Big haul: The 18 tonnes of drugs laid out during the press conference at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters.
The raids also uncovered a massive drug processing lab located in a three-storey bungalow in Cheras and various premises used to store the drugs.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the first raid was carried out in Cheras, where all six suspects were detained.
“A search done on a house led to the seizure of six bottles of liquid believed to contain MDMA, weighing about 3kg.
“The second raid at Taman Taynton View, Cheras, uncovered suspected cocaine in powder form weighing about 738kg, liquid cocaine weighing about three tonnes as well as drug-processing equipment,” he told a press conference yesterday.
In the third raid in Sungai Chua, Kajang, the raiding team seized three tonnes of ketamine in powder form, 10.06 tonnes of liquid ketamine and additional processing equipment.
The fourth raid in Taman Industri Mega, Kajang, resulted in the seizure of 28 sacks containing 1,400 yellow plastic packets of suspected ketamine powder weighing about 1.4 tonnes along with drug-processing tools.
“It is definitely one of the biggest drug seizures ever,” Comm Hussein added.
Based on investigations, the syndicate would ship the drugs in containers via ports by declaring them as other items.
Comm Hussein (right) showing the massive vats used to manufacture the drugs. With him are Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus and other senior police officers. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
“They also packed the drugs in drinks and food packages to avoid detection,” he added.
The suspects have been remanded until Tuesday.
On another matter, Comm Hussein said 215 tonnes of drugs worth RM3.1bil were seized following the dismantling of 270 drug syndicates to date.
“The successes were derived from 609 operations and 737 people arrested between Jan 1 and Dec 18,” he said.
“A total of 234,567 investigation papers were opened. Of the total number, 157,648 cases, or 67%, have been brought to court.”
The NCID had also financially crippled syndicates, seizing assets worth RM141mil and forfeiting RM29mil.
“The move ensured illicit profits were not recycled to strengthen criminal networks,” he said.
Comm Hussein said police also identified three main modus operandi used by syndicates to smuggle drugs in and out of the country, including concealing drugs in modified containers but declare them as legitimate goods.
“One of the modus operandi is where fishing boats collect drug supplies from motherships before entering Malaysian waters.
“Another method involves the use of drug mules recruited through social media platforms, luring victims with promises of a free holiday or lucrative salaries before being used to traffic drugs by body-packing, swallowing drug pellets and concealing drugs in luggage.
“The statistics reflect not only the scale of the drug threat but also the police’s firm resolve to thwart all attempts at smuggling, distribution and abuse.
“Sustained intelligence work, tough enforcement and strong public support remain the most effective combination in crippling drug syndicates,” Comm Hussein added.
