RANTAU PANJANG: An international drug trafficking syndicate which conceals syabu in Guanyinwang tea packages has been operating since 2017, said Eighth Infantry Brigade commander Brigadier General Zamsari Abu Hasan.
He said the syndicate has been using the tactic to avoid detection by the authorities.
Zamsari said the tactic was detected after a series of seizures on syabu made by the Eighth Infantry Brigade and other agencies over the years.
"This international drug trafficking syndicates has been active for (several) years.
"I am not sure about their numbers, but I believe there are many groups in Malaysia and also in two other neighbouring countries.
"Each (member of this) syndicate finds their own resources to fund their criminal activities," he added.
He said the syndicate members are not only from Malaysia, but also from Thailand and Myanmar.
Despite all the tactics used by the syndicate, Zamsari is confident the eighth infantry brigade and other authorities will continue to make more arrests and drug seizures.
The Eighth Infantry Brigade recently seized 402kg of syabu – packed in Guanyinwang packages – worth about RM16.08 million, at Kampung Lubok Setol near Rantau Panjang.
No one was arrested in the operation as two men, suspected to be smugglers, escaped to a neighbouring country.