JOHOR BARU: Johor police crippled a drug syndicate after busting its processing dens in the state capital, Iskandar Puteri and Kluang in a two-day operation that saw the seizure of a record RM28.31 million in drugs.
The drug seizure was one of the largest in the state so far this year. Police detained seven suspects, including the 33-year-old ring leader and two foreign women.
The other suspects - three local men and two women, all aged between 27 and 62, were arrested on Nov 3 and 4. The syndicate is believed to be one of the largest drug syndicates operating in Johor.
The operation resulted in the seizure of drug processing equipment, RM263,205 in assets including cash, foreign currency, jewellery and four vehicles.
Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar said the stash of narcotics seized included ecstasy in powder form and pills, Erimin 5 pills and ketamine, which could supply 857,784 drug users.
"The syndicate had allegedly used gated terrace houses as storage and packaging facility, targeting Kluang and Johor Baru as their drug markets since August, this year," he told a press conference at the Johor police contingent headquarters here today.
The suspects face charges under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment with possible caning upon conviction. The two foreigners are also being investigated for Immigration violations.
Kumar said Johor's narcotics officers had arrested over 21,000 suspects since the beginning of this year and seized drugs worth RM92.37 million.