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GEORGE TOWN: Penang police have dismantled an international drug trafficking syndicate, arresting five individuals — four of whom are foreigners — and seizing drugs valued at over RM1 million.
State police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said that a targeted operation conducted between August 20 and 22 led to three rounds of arrests and the confiscation of 31,410g of drugs, with a total value of RM1,037,000.
"The syndicate, masterminded by foreigners, was active in Penang and Kedah.
"During the raids, we arrested a local man and four foreign nationals, aged between 23 and 40, involved in trafficking syabu to a neighbouring country," he said.
Hamzah said that the investigation uncovered 30 packets labelled 'Guanyinwang Refined Chinese Tea,' which actually contained crystallised syabu, totaling 31,410g and worth RM1,037,000.
"Further intelligence revealed that the syndicate has been operating since January, smuggling drugs to the overseas market," he said.
He said the group's modus operandi involved receiving payments for delivering syabu from local dealers to markets in neighbouring countries via sea routes.
The seized drugs could potentially serve 150,000 users, he added.
Hamzah said action was also taken under the Dangerous Drug Act (Forfeiture of Property) 1988, whereby police seized two cars, a motorcycle worth RM26,500 and RM4,000 in cash, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM1,067,500.
All five suspects tested negative for drugs and have no previous criminal records.
They have been remanded for seven days, until tomorrow, for investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952.
Hamzah said they would continue to intensify efforts against drug trafficking and enhance cooperation with other agencies for comprehensive drug enforcement.
He encouraged the public to report any information related to drug abuse or narcotics crime to the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department at 012-2087222.