3 Singaporeans, Malaysian, Thai arrested, Maserati GT, drugs seized in raid

JOHOR BARU: The luxurious lifestyle of three Singaporeans, including two women, a Thai woman, and a Malaysian man, was shattered after police uncovered their alleged involvement in an international drug syndicate during a series of raids on Jan 22.

Their arrests led to the discovery of a cache of drugs, including heroin, ketamine, and cannabis, processed in a luxury apartment.

Among the items seized was a Maserati Granturismo valued at over RM400,000.

Johor Baru (Selatan) police chief Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat said the operation began after police arrested a 36-year-old Malaysian man, who was suspected of being involved in an armed robbery at a snooker centre in Stulang Laut on Jan 17.

"The robbery, committed by the suspect allegedly with a folding knife, netted only RM1,060 but it led police to uncover a far larger operation," Raub told a press conference at the district police headquarters yesterday.

The man was detained along Jalan Dato' Abdullah Tahir, where a search uncovered 3kg of heroin and syabu.

He allegedly told police that he was part of a drug syndicate operated by foreigners.

The breakthrough led to a raid on a luxury apartment in the state capital, where the Singaporeans, aged between 30 and 40, and the Thai woman were arrested.

Police seized 2.27 kg of heroin, cannabis, ketamine, and other narcotics, including 13.67 litres of drug-laced vape liquid.

The total value of the drugs and assets seized, including the Maserati, a Proton Satria, a Honda CBR 150 motorcycle, and cash in Singaporean dollars and ringgit, amounted to RM524,227.

"The syndicate, active since December, used the luxury apartment as a base to process drugs and produce drug-laced vape liquids," Raub said.

All five suspects tested positive for drugs. Police checks revealed the Singaporean and Malaysian men had prior criminal records.

The five have been remanded until Jan 29 to facilitate investigations under Section 39B and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, while the foreigners will also face charges under the Immigration Act 1959/63.

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