Major Sarawak-based drug syndicate busted
Major haul: Comm Mancha speaking during the press conference about the duo who were arrested and the seizure of cash, drugs and other items. — Bernama
SIBU: Police have crippled a major drug trafficking syndicate that had been operating here for nearly a decade, arresting two people in a series of raids.
They also made the largest drug and asset seizure in the state, totalling RM8.5mil, during the raids on June 12 and 13 at three locations, following intelligence gathered on the syndicate's activities.
Sarawak police chief Comm Datuk Mancha Ata said the locations were a shoplot in Pusat Pedada and two terrace houses in Lorong Permai Jaya.
'A 52-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, believed to be the syndicate's masterminds, were arrested,' he told a press conference here yesterday.
He said police also seized drugs worth about RM532,934.40.
It included 7,086.7g of syabu, 2,078.9g of ketamine and 2,022.6g of Erimin 5 pills.
'The total amount of drugs seized is enough to feed the habit of 49,702 drug addicts,' said Comm Mancha.
Police also confiscated assets believed to be proceeds from the drug trade, including RM5,157,450 in cash, four gold bars, two gold chains, three Rolex watches, two luxury vehicles – a Lexus RX 350 F Sport and a Lexus ES 250 – as well as a Toyota Vios.
Police also seized various items used in the syndicate's operations, including bank cards, house keys and drug packaging equipment.
According to Comm Mancha, initial investigations revealed that the suspects had been running the syndicate since 2015, obtaining drug supplies from Peninsular Malaysia via courier services and distributing them to the local market in Sibu.
'Both suspects tested negative for drugs and have no criminal records.
'They are being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment and not less than 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction,' he added.
The suspects have been remanded for seven days from June 13 to assist with the investigation.
Comm Mancha added that the police are actively pursuing other members of the syndicate still at large in an effort to completely dismantle the network.
He urged the public to report any drug-related activity to the police.
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