Businessman, wife among nine members of drug trafficking syndicate arrested

BATU PAHAT: A businessman, with the title ‘Datuk’ and his wife, were among nine individuals arrested by the police in raids conducted in Johor and Selangor last April 7 and 8 for alleged involvement in an international drug trafficking syndicate.

Bukit Aman Narcotic Criminal Investigation deputy director (Intelligence and Operation) Zainudin Ahmad said the police also seized 12.24 kg syabu, 6.61 kg ecstasy pills and 420 gm ketamine, as well as three luxury vehicles and jewellery, all worth RM1.39 million.

The syndicate, believed active since September last year, was believed to smuggle the contraband through the waters off Johor, including from Batu Pahat, to Indonesia, he told a media conference at the Batu Pahat police station here on Sunday.

He said of the nine suspects arrested, one of them tested positive for drug and five had previous records for criminal and drug-related offences, included the businessman, aged 59, who was jailed five years for a drug offence.

All the suspects, aged between 22 and 59, are in remand for seven days for investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

Meanwhile, Zainudin said the syndicate was believed to be linked to a drug bust by Taiwanese authorities last month.

“Three Malaysians and four Indonesians were arrested in Taiwanese waters and involved a seizure of 281 kg of ketamine with an estimated value of RM15 million,” he added.

He said the police were tracking down the remaining members of the syndicate.