WeChat used in Johor drug network, RM1.23mil in seizures
JOHOR BARU: A WeChat-based drug trafficking syndicate operating from gated residences in Johor was dismantled following a two-day special operation by the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) on May 20 and 21.
Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar said the first raid at 3.30pm led to the arrest of a 32-year-old man and a 29-year-old Vietnamese woman inside a Nissan X-Trail at the lobby of a guarded apartment along Jalan Skudai Lama.
Police found packets of drugs, including syabu, ketamine, and Erimin 5 pills, in the vehicle.
The male suspect, who has a criminal record, had rented the apartment unit.
A follow-up raid at a guarded terrace house in the district resulted in the arrest of five more suspects — four men and a Myanmar woman — aged between 29 and 54.
He said the second location was used as a drug storage hub, with police seizing over RM1.23 million worth of narcotics, including 7.08kg of ecstasy powder, 1.37kg of heroin, 139g of ketamine, 123g of syabu, and 127 Erimin 5 pills.
Police also confiscated three vehicles, two motorcycles, RM9,320 in cash, and jewellery worth RM32,453.20.
"The syndicate, active since January, used WeChat to coordinate transactions with long-time clients.
"Buyers and suppliers would use the app to agree on drop-off points, where drugs and cash were exchanged anonymously. The locations changed constantly and were only shared with trusted contacts," Kumar said at a press conference today.
All seven suspects have been remanded until June 2.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The Myanmar woman is also being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for lacking valid travel documents.
In a separate operation in Pontian on May 21, police arrested a 35-year-old man suspected of drug distribution.
The man, who tested positive for methamphetamine, was caught at a rented terrace house at 6pm.
Police seized 6.4kg of ecstasy powder, 5.66g of ketamine, 20.04g of syabu, 76 ecstasy pills, and eight yaba pills worth RM1.07 million — enough for an estimated 21,559 addicts.
Police also seized RM600 from the suspect, who has been remanded until June 2.
Investigations are underway to track down other members of the syndicate.
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