JOHOR BARU: A 16-year-old boy who dropped out of school more than a year ago has been arrested in connection with a RM3mil drug bust, prompting police to remind parents to keep a close watch on their children’s activities and social circle.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said investigations showed the 16-year-old had stopped attending school from January last year and tested positive for drugs.
He said drugs were found in a car belonging to the teenager’s grandfather, adding that police are still determining the extent of the boy’s involvement in the syndicate.
“The case should serve as a reminder to parents to know who their children are associating with and where they spend their time.
“Teenagers must stay away from drugs because once they become involved, they are putting their future at risk,” he said in a press conference at the state police headquarters yesterday.
Comm Ab Rahaman said the teenager was among eight suspects arrested during a series of raids conducted by the Johor Baru South police narcotics crime investigation division at about 9pm on July 18.
The operation saw the arrest of seven local men and one Indonesian national, aged between 16 and 78.
Comm Ab Rahaman said police first raided a parking area in front of a hotel not far from the city centre, where the teenager and three other suspects were detained.
“A search of the car uncovered 50 plastic packets containing 60.78kg of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated street value of RM3.04mil,” he said.
Follow-up raids at the hotel led to the arrest of three more local men, although no further incriminating items were recovered.
“Investigations showed the syndicate had a structured organisation, with the first two suspects believed to have acted as transporters while another suspect served as a runner.
“Three other suspects are believed to be trusted aides responsible for managing the syndicate’s operations under the direction of the seventh suspect, who has been identified as the leader,” he added.
Police believe the eighth suspect is the mastermind behind the syndicate’s overall operations.
Comm Ab Rahaman added the syndicate had been active since May this year and used vehicles as temporary storage facilities before distributing the drugs to the local market.
He added that the drugs seized were enough to supply an estimated 303,900 users, thereby preventing a large quantity of methamphetamine from reaching the streets.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and all eight suspects have been remanded for seven days.
Three suspects tested positive for methamphetamine, while four have criminal records.
