KUALA LUMPUR: A drug trafficking syndicate that also laundered illicit proceeds through a money-changing business was busted following raids around the Klang Valley on April 16.
A total of 19 individuals, including seven women, were arrested in the operations.
The first raid, carried out at an apartment in Taman Wahyu, led to the seizure of various currencies estimated to be worth RM4.9mil, believed to be proceeds from drug sales.
Police also seized a range of drugs, including 0.89kg of ecstasy pills, 0.69kg of ketamine, 0.46kg of Erimin 5, and 6.5kg of MDMA powder, along with drug-processing equipment.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the initial raid resulted in the arrest of two suspects, which subsequently led to further operations around Kepong following interrogation.
“Subsequent raids were conducted in several locations around Kuala Lumpur and Kepong, leading to the arrest of 17 additional suspects.
“We believe the syndicate has been active since early this year, using apartments to store and process drugs before distributing them to the Klang Valley market.
“Investigations revealed that the 12th suspect acted as the syndicate leader, while the 10th suspect was his assistant. Several others served as storekeepers and runners,” he said at a press conference at Kuala Lumpur police headquarters on Tuesday (April 21).
Comm Hussein said total drug seizures amounted to 31.8kg of ketamine, 4.2kg of Erimin 5, 0.89kg of ecstasy pills, and 6.5kg of MDMA, with an estimated value of RM3.1mil.
“The total value of seizures and confiscations is estimated at RM14.15mil, and the drugs seized are believed to be capable of affecting about 151,000 users,” he said.
He added that initial urine screenings found that three suspects tested positive for drugs, while background checks showed that five had prior criminal records.
“Four suspects have been remanded for seven days from April 17 to April 23, while seven others are being detained under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.
“Eight others have been released on police bail, and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment and a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane upon conviction,” he said.
