JOHOR BARU: Police have crippled a drug syndicate and seized nearly RM1.5mil worth of drugs through two separate operations here.
Johor Baru South Asst Comm Raub Selamat said the first case involved a syndicate that used budget hotels as transit points and mini drug labs.
"Two suspects, aged 35 and 37, were arrested at a hotel in Danga Bay at about 3am on Jan 16.
“We have seized 100g of ketamine, 80g of yaba pills and 2.25g of methamphetamine. Subsequently, we raided another room at the same hotel and found 7.79kg of ecstasy along with drug-processing equipment.
“We also seized a car worth RM80,000. The total value of the drugs seized is estimated at RM1.08 million,” he said at a press conference at the Johor Baru South District Police Headquarters on Wednesday (Jan 21).
Initial investigations revealed the suspects frequently moved between budget hotels to evade detection by authorities.
“The syndicate, which has been operating for the past two months, purchased drugs in bulk before repackaging them and selling them at RM250 per packet.
“The drugs seized could feed up to 80,184 addicts,” he said, adding that both suspects had prior criminal and drug-related records and tested positive for methamphetamine.
ACP Raub said both suspects were remanded until Thursday (Jan 22) to assist with the investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Meanwhile, in the second case, he said police uncovered the activities of a lavishly living unemployed man after arresting him with a large quantity of methamphetamine worth more than RM344,900.
“The 32-year-old suspect was arrested in a car in a luxury condominium area in Taman Abad on Jan 15.
“We seized 10.78kg of methamphetamine worth RM344,960 and confiscated a lorry, a car and two motorcycles,” he said.
He added that the suspect had prior criminal records under Sections 395 and 397 of the Penal Code for armed gang robbery and also tested positive for methamphetamine.
“The suspect was remanded until Thursday (Jan 22) to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
“At this stage, we are tracking the drug distribution network, including the main supplier, believed to still be actively operating in the district,” he said.
ACP Raub said he would not compromise in the fight against drug-related crime and would continue to intensify intelligence operations, raids and legal action regardless of background.
“The public is urged to continue providing information on drug-related activities to help ensure Johor Baru South remains safe, peaceful and secure,” he added.
