JOHOR BARU: Police here busted two drug trafficking and smuggling syndicates following three raids in Kota Tinggi and Johor Baru last week.
State police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said five suspects, believed to be the masterminds of the syndicates, were arrested in the raids.
"In the first raid on Nov 9, we arrested two suspects aged 39 and 49, including an illegal Indonesian immigrant, in Kota Tinggi.
"In the raid, we seized 14.557 kilogrammes of marijuana valued at RM36,392.50 from a car the suspects were in. We also seized the car, a motorcycle and RM1,401 in cash," said Ayob Khan.
He said a suspect tested positive for methamphetamine while checks showed that one of them also had previous records of criminal offences.
"Investigations showed that the Indonesian immigrant had been staying here illegally for five years."
Ayob Khan said the syndicate's modus operandi is to smuggle the drugs to a neighbouring country via sea.
"The syndicate has been active since July this year. The suspects have been remanded for seven days from November 10 to November 16.
"The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," said Ayob Khan at a press conference at the state police headquarters here.
In a separate operation in Johor Baru on November 10, police arrested a 23-year-old suspect who was found with Ecstasy powder.
"Following the arrest, we conducted another raid at an apartment in the city where we arrested a married couple aged 59 and 53.
"In the raid, we seized 21.18 kilogrammes of Ecstasy powder, 78.6 grammes of ketamine, 1.8 grammes of syabu, 90 Ecstasy pills and 170 Eramin 5 pills. The drugs are valued at RM1.075 million," said Ayob Khan.
He said the syndicate's modus operandi is to use the apartment, located in a gated and guarded area, to store and package the drugs that were catered for private parties and entertainment centres in Johor Baru.
"The syndicate has been active since August this year."
Ayob Khan said the suspects have been remanded for seven days from November 11 until November 17 for further investigations.
"The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," said Ayob Khan.
He said the drugs seized in the two cases can cater to 35,838 addicts.