International ring busted, 2 tonnes of drugs from South America seized
Police showcasing the various drugs seized from the syndicate, with an estimated street value of over RM82 million, at a press conference. (Bernama pic)
KUALA LUMPUR : Police have busted an international drug trafficking syndicate with the arrest of three brothers and the seizure of various drugs with an estimated street value of over RM82 million.
Bukit Aman narcotics crime investigation department acting director Mat Zani @ Salahuddin Che Ali said police conducted three raids in Kajang and Cheras last week.
He said the first raid at a three-storey house in Taman Nadayu, Kajang, on Thursday, led to the arrest of three Malaysian men believed to be the syndicate's masterminds.
'The three men, aged between 27 and 39, were caught red-handed packing drugs. Further inspection of the house uncovered 830 packets of syabu (methamphetamine), 56 sacks containing syabu, a plastic basin containing syabu, and various drug-packing equipment,' he said at a press conference here.
Mat Zani said interrogation of the three suspects led to two more raids on condominium units in Cheras at 1.15am and 1.50am the following day. Police seized 95 packs of ketamine, three packets of syabu, and 81 packets of ecstasy powder.
'The total amount of drugs seized was 2.165 tonnes, comprising 1,986kg of syabu, 82kg of ecstasy powder, and 97kg of ketamine, with an estimated street value of RM82.14 million,' he said.
Police also seized several assets valued at RM95,000, including four cars belonging to the three suspects, who are under remand until May 1.
Mat Zani said this was the Malaysian police's first seizure of drugs from South America, adding that police believed the narcotics were intended for South Korea and Japan.
'Syabu can fetch up to RM400,000 per kg in South Korea and Japan, much higher than the local market price,' he said.
He added that initial investigations found that the syndicate smuggled drugs via sea routes by declaring them as 'plastic flakes', or raw material for plastic products.
'Police are still investigating the link between this syndicate, which has been active this year, and the drug syndicates in South America. We believe there are still members of this syndicate who remain at large,' said Mat Zani.
He added that his team was in contact with foreign drug enforcement agencies, including the US Drug Enforcement Administration, to assist in investigations.
'We believe this is an attempt by South American drug syndicates to distribute their drugs here and use Malaysia as a transit point to third countries.'
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