JOHOR BARU: Two Singaporean men were arrested for allegedly smuggling concentrated cough syrup, believed to be used in the production of illicit drugs, at a jetty in Masai here on Tuesday.
The suspects, believed to be members of a drug syndicate, used recreational fishing boats to smuggle the controlled substance from Malaysia to a neighbouring country.
It is learnt that the foreigners were dressed down on the pretext of going to sea for fishing activities, when they were arrested at the jetty.
The façade was believed to have been adopted to elude the authorities.
Johor Baru South police chief Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat said the 6pm operation was conducted by marine policemen.
He said police seized 140l of concentrated cough syrup worth RM75,150.
"The Singaporeans, aged 45 and 50, were detained while attempting to leave Malaysian waters in a recreational fishing boat," he told reporters at the district police headquarters today.
"Police seized five drums containing liquid believed to be controlled cough syrup hidden in the boat's fish storage compartment."
Preliminary investigations revealed the syrup belonged to the two suspects, who intended to smuggle it out of the country, Raub said.
Investigations under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act of 1952, for having controlled drugs, are underway.