Police bust syndicate using karaoke rooms to distribute drugs
Johor police chief Datuk M Kumar said intelligence gathered since early this year led to the arrest of nine individuals and the seizure of various drugs worth over RM1.7 million in a series of raids last month.
The raids were carried out at three locations around the city between 3.30pm on June 20 and 6.30am on June 21.
"In the first raid, we arrested three suspects and seized a quantity of drugs at a unit in a gated and guarded apartment.
"The second raid, conducted at another unit on the same floor, led to the arrest of six more suspects.
"Both apartments had rooms that were modified into 'karaoke centres' used to attract customers, to whom drugs were then sold and distributed," he told a press conference at the Johor police headquarters today.
Police later raided a third apartment, where more drugs were found.
Kumar said the syndicate is believed to have been active since March.
The suspects arrested include four local men, one of whom, aged 52, is believed to be the mastermind, as well as a local woman, a Singaporean man, two Vietnamese women and a Laotian woman.
They range in age from 21 to 64.
Among the drugs seized were 10.04kg of ecstasy powder, 140g of syabu, 61.5g of ketamine, 20 Erimin 5 pills, 370 yaba pills, 190 ecstasy pills and 33ml of suspected drug-laced liquid, all with a street value exceeding RM1.7 million.
"These drugs could have supplied around 34,000 users. The presence of foreign suspects also suggests they may have had international clientele," Kumar said.
In addition to drugs, police also seized drug processing and repackaging equipment, two cars, RM1,500 in cash and various jewellery items, bringing the total value of the seizure and forfeiture to more than RM1.9 million.
All suspects tested positive for methamphetamine.
Background checks showed that four local male suspects had prior criminal records related to drugs and other offences.
"The 64-year-old Singaporean man was also listed as 'wanted' in his home country," Kumar said.
All suspects are currently in remand until tomorrow and are being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty upon conviction.
The foreigners are also being investigated under Sections 6(1)(c) and 6(3) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for immigration-related offences.
Kumar added that drug syndicates in Johor typically operate in small groups of four to five members.
"This is the largest syndicate busted in the state so far this year, involving nine people, including the syndicate leader," he added.
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