Police uncover RM2.4b drug operation in Puncak Alam, seize 13.17 tonnes in biggest haul this year

KUALA SELANGOR, Sept 9 — Police have crippled a drug processing and distribution syndicate and uncovered a drug laboratory in Puncak Alam here through Op Eumenes conducted in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, with the total drugs seized estimated to be worth RM2.4 billion on Aug 15.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said three local men and a foreign man and woman, aged between 29 and 43, were arrested in six separate raids conducted around Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

“During the raids, we seized various types of drugs weighing an estimated 13.17 tonnes, including cannabis, Erimin 5, ketamine, yaba and methamphetamine, as well as various machines and equipment believed to have been used to process drugs at the premises in the industrial area,” he said at a press conference at an industrial area in Puncak Alam here today.

Elaborating, Hussein said the total value of the drugs seized was estimated at RM2.4 billion, making it the biggest drug seizure believed to have been recorded this year.

He said the syndicate, which is believed to have been active since February, used a modus operandi of obtaining drug supplies and processing equipment believed to have been brought in from China before being smuggled into Malaysia.

Police also found a container inside the drug laboratory premises which is believed to be linked to the syndicate’s modus operandi of bringing in materials and equipment from overseas.

Meanwhile, he said police believed the syndicate leader was an individual who was shot dead in a previous raid in Seremban.

He said the individual was believed to have managed the rental of the premises, the entry of precursor materials (chemical compounds) and equipment from overseas, as well as recruitment of syndicate members.

The media had previously reported that police crippled a drug processing syndicate believed to be producing methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) worth RM27.5 million through Op Thrips in Seremban and Kuala Lumpur on Sept 6.

Meanwhile, Hussein said one of the suspects, a Taiwanese, was believed to have acted as the syndicate’s chemist and had entered the country four times.

“We are still investigating the possibility that the syndicate has a network in Taiwan and will cooperate with the authorities there,” he said.

Several syndicate members had yet to be arrested, including one who was believed to have fled the country, while investigations were also underway to determine whether there was any possible involvement of insiders from other agencies.

“All the suspects were charged in court under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 on Aug 21 and 27.

Meanwhile, Hussein also revealed that the syndicate was believed to be linked to a kidnapping victim in Selangor in July.

On July 18, the media reported that police had rescued a man who was kidnapped within 48 hours and arrested six individuals, including a woman, who were believed to have demanded RM7 million in ransom in a special operation at a residential unit in the i-City area, Shah Alam, Selangor. — Bernama