Johor Cops Bust Syndicate, Seize Drugs Worth RM5.33 Mln, Arrest Four Individuals

JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Johor police busted a drug distribution syndicate and seized various types of drugs, worth RM5.33 million, in three raids in the city on Oct 10 and 11.

Police chief CP Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the operation, which was the result of intelligence from the Johor Contingent's Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN), led to the arrest of four local men, aged between 35 and 54, and the seizure of 37.62 kilogrammes (kg) of drugs.

He said that in the first raid at a condominium in Taman Delima, two men were detained and 10 kg of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) powder, two kg of ecstasy pills, 735 grammes (g) of ecstasy powder,  110 g of syabu, 60 g of Erimin 5 pills and various drug processing equipment were seized.

He said the second raid, conducted along the roadside in the Taman Sri Tebrau area, led to the arrest of a man with 1.44 g of methamphetamine found in his possession.

“The third raid on a condominium in Jalan Larkin led to the arrest of a man and the seizure of 15.31 kg of MDMA powder, 3.46 kg of ecstasy powder. 3.49 kg of ecstasy pills, 1.72 kg of ketamine, 430 g of Erimin 5 pills, 260 g of ganja as well as 38 g of syabu,” he said at a press conference at the Johor contingent police headquarters here today.

Ab Rahaman said the total amount of drugs seized could have affected approximately 115,948 individuals if they had reached the local market.

He said the syndicate is believed to have been active since March and used the modus operandi of renting gated and heavily guarded apartments as storage locations before distributing the drugs to the local market, particularly nightclubs.

According to him, initial urine screening tests found all suspects positive for methamphetamine-type drugs, while checks revealed that two of them had prior records involving various drug and criminal offences.

He said all the suspects were remanded for seven days until Oct 17 to assist in the investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment and not less than 12 strokes of the rotan if convicted.

"Police also seized three vehicles, namely a Mazda CX-5, a Toyota Vios and a Perodua Bezza, as well as various jewellery worth RM123,200 under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM5.45 million," he also said.

Ab Rahaman added that the success was the result of continuous intelligence gathering by JSJN in collaboration with the public and that his department would not compromise with any party involved in drug distribution activities.

-- BERNAMA