KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian police ‘stung’ a China-linked ketamine distribution syndicate out of business when they scored the biggest ketamine seizure of the year and uncovered a drug-processing laboratory in Bukit Jalil on Sunday.
In respective raids at two apartments, the Bukit Aman police's Special Tactical Intelligence Narcotics Group (STING) seized 210kg of China-made ketamine, and drugs comprising syabu, Eramine-5, ecstasy and pil yaba worth a total of RM15.5 million.
In another apartment, the police uncovered the drug laboratory and drug-making paraphernalia.
In both raids carried out within six hours, beginning 9.30pm, three local men, including an unqualified chemist, were detained to facilitate investigations into the international drug trafficking syndicate.
Federal Police (Bukit Aman) Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff described the ketamine seizure as the biggest this year
He said initial investigations revealed the ketamine was meant for local consumption, adding that the seized drugs could cater to 540,000 addicts.
"We also seized three vehicles owned by the suspects - a Toyota Estima, a Toyota Mark and a Proton Gen 2 – as well as RM1,500," he told a press conference here today.
Mohd Mokhtar said the suspects were remanded until Monday to facilitate investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.
On the types of drugs popular among addicts in the country, he said 47 per cent preferred syabu; heroin (30 per cent); yaba pill (12 per cent); ganja and ecstacy pills (five per cent each); and ketamine (one per cent).
Meanwhile, Mohd Mokhtar said police seized various drugs worth RM211.98 million from Jan until Dec 4, and 189,190 individuals, including 7,508 foreigners were arrested over the seizure during the same period. -- Bernama