JOHOR BARU: Police have crippled a drug syndicate that used a terrace house here as a repacking and distribution centre for the local market and neighbouring countries.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said five men were arrested in Taman Bukit Indah along with the seizure of drugs worth about RM1.45mil.
He said the suspects, aged between 43 and 53, were nabbed at 4.20pm on Friday (Jan 9).
"One of them is the suspected leader of the syndicate, which has been active in drug distribution since August last year.
"We also seized drug paraphernalia and equipment believed to be used for repackaging drugs in Chinese tea packets," he told a press conference on Tuesday (Jan 13).
He said a total of 21.75kg of drugs were seized, including 15.29kg of syabu, 5.37kg of MDMA powder, 338.7g of ecstasy pills, 297.1g of ketamine, 798g of ganja and 159.5g of Yaba pills.
He added that the total drugs seized are estimated to be worth RM1.45mil and could have been supplied to over 98,000 users.
Police also seized six cars, two motorcycles, jewellery and stacks of cash amounting to RM270,150, he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment upon conviction.
