Raid uncovers drugs worth RM35 million, 3 held

An international drug syndicate’s operations bit the dust after police raided and seized nearly one tonne of drugs believed to be syabu in Kajang on Wednesday.

Police also arrested three suspects, including the landlord of a store, where the drugs were concealed.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said the drugs, believed to have been brought in from a neighbouring country via Kelantan, was estimated to have a street value of RM35.4 million.

He said the drugs were seized from two places, a store and in a lorry parked nearby, during the 9.15pm police raid.

“In the first discovery, a team of investigators from the Federal and Selangor Narcotics division raided the store and seized 673.2kg of syabu and arrested three locals, aged 37 to 42.

“Upon further investigation, the suspects led the investigators to a lorry nearby where the rest of the drugs were kept.

“Two of the men arrested are believed to be the transporters for the syndicate,” he said.

He congratulated the team for their latest bust.

Hamid said the drugs seized in the operation could easily “feed” 4.91 million addicts in the country.

“The three suspects, who all tested positive for drugs, also have criminal records involving Section 15 (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Section 12 (2) and under Section 379A of the Penal Code.

“All three have been remanded until tomorrow (today),” he told reporters at a press conference at the Selangor police contingent headquarters here yesterday.

Hamid said during the operation, police also seized ill-gotten proceeds worth RM17,870 belonging to the suspects believed to have been obtained from the drug trade.

He added that the syndicate had been operating since January.

Sharing the accumulated statistics of drug seizures by the department, the IGP said in the 59 days, up to Feb 28 this year, police had arrested 19,352 individuals and seized 70,193.73kg of drugs.

“Police seized 9,752.46 litres of liquid-based drugs and 617,165.8kg of ketum leaves with a total worth of RM245.22 million.

“Up to Feb 28, 56 drug syndicates nationwide have been crippled and 217 suspects have been arrested nationwide,” he said.

Hamid said the war against drugs was a tough one and to ensure continued success, the department would need to increase the number of personnel as soon as possible.