Sarawak-linked drug syndicates busted
Two drug syndicates, which catered to addicts in Sarawak and two neighbouring countries, have been crippled with the seizure of 182kg of drugs and the arrest of 14 suspects, including two policemen with the rank of Assistant Superintendent and sub-Inspector.
The drugs seized in raids in Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Selangor and Sarawak between July 1 and July 6 were 424,500 Erimin 5 pills, 63kg of syabu and 12kg of ketamine.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Ramli Din said police busted the syndicates in an operation codenamed Ops Nutcracker.
“We managed to uncover a drug processing laboratory on the outskirts of Batang Kali on July 6.
“The lab has been in operation since September last year. It is able to produce 70,000 Erimin 5 pills worth RM1mil at any one time.
“The lab processed the pills three to five times a week,” Comm Ramli told a press conference yesterday.
Some 440kg of precursor chemicals and large equipment, including a one-tonne machine to produce drugs, were also seized.
“We also seized assets of the syndicates worth RM1.07mil – RM703,000 in cash, nine cars and four luxury wrist watches,” said Comm Ramli.
He said the syndicates would hire drug mules from Sarawak and bring them to Kuala Lumpur.
The drug mules were housed at luxury hotels where the packaging for the drugs was done. The syndicate would conceal the drugs in food packaging.
They would then fly back to Sarawak to distribute the drugs.
Comm Ramli said the syndicates catered to the drug markets in Sarawak, Brunei and Indonesia.
“The syndicates have managed to make 28 trips and each trip comprised one to three drug mules,” he said, adding that NCID would continue to combat the drug menace.