KUALA TERENGGANU: Police have arrested two brothers suspected of using their house in Kampung Duyong Besar here to store drugs worth RM1.76mil.
Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairudin said the two, aged 39 and 50, were arrested together with about 22kg of suspected ganja buds during a raid at 3.30pm last Sunday (June 14) under Ops Tapis Khas.
"Initial investigations found that both suspects acted as storekeepers for a syndicate believed to have been active since March this year. The drug supply is believed to have been obtained from an international syndicate that smuggled it into the country via sea routes," he told a press conference here on Sunday.
He said both suspects tested negative for drugs. The 50-year-old suspect has 13 previous drug-related offences, while his younger brother has no criminal record.
Mohd Khairi said the drug supply, estimated to be sufficient for 44,000 addicts, was believed to be intended for the international market.
"Based on our investigations, the ganja buds were meant to be sent overseas. They would have been processed to extract liquid, which we believe is used as a flavouring for electronic cigarettes that can induce intoxication," he said.
Mohd Khairi said police also seized various assets worth a total of RM149,000 during the raid, comprising an SUV, three motorcycles, and RM6,000 in cash.
He said the remand period for the two brothers, which began last Monday and ended on Sunday, has been extended by another seven days to facilitate further investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Mohd Khairi said Ops Tapis Khas, conducted from June 12 to 14, saw the arrest of 243 individuals for various drug-related offences, with a total of 22.35 kg of drugs worth RM1.79mil seized. - Bernama
