Latest news with #NCID
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Selangor drug raid nets 50, including woman who used drugs to lose weight
SUNGAI BULOH: A woman, who claimed to have been taking drugs since last year to lose weight, was among 50 individuals arrested in a pre-dawn anti-narcotics raid here yesterday. The woman, a canteen worker and mother of one told police she began using drugs on the advice of a friend to slim down and look better. "I've been taking this drug to slim down since last year... I buy the stuff for RM50 each time," she was quoted as saying. She was arrested during Op Sarang, a targeted operation carried out by the Selangor Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), following intelligence surveillance in a forested area along Jalan Kuari Matang Jaya, here. Selangor NCID chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Faisal Mohd Noor said the operation, which began at 7.45am, involved three officers and 14 personnel, and resulted in the arrest of 50 individuals, in their 20s to 60s. "Among them were two Indonesian men. One suspect is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction, and the rest are being investigated under Section 15(1)(a) of the same Act for drug consumption," he said in a statement today. Police also seized a total of 273.32g of heroin, 184.5g of syabu (methamphetamine) and 20g of Eramin 5 during the raid. Faisal said Op Sarang was part of police's continuous efforts to eradicate drug abuse and distribution in areas identified as drug hotspots across Selangor.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Drug syndicates turn to ganja buds as demand surges, say police
KUALA LUMPUR: Drug syndicates are increasingly turning to the distribution of cannabis buds due to rising demand, authorities revealed. Federal Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) acting director Deputy Commissioner Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said cannabis buds are more difficult to obtain compared to regular cannabis. He said cannabis buds are also more expensive than the compressed cannabis typically found on the black market between 2023 and this year. "Based on investigations, cannabis buds are being sold via social media and e-commerce platforms. "These syndicates are believed to import cannabis seeds and cultivate them using high-tech methods, with the buds then sold exclusively to selected customers," he told Metro Ahad. Mat Zani said cannabis buds are believed to contain the highest levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis. "The price of cannabis buds can be up to 30 times higher than that of regular cannabis. "They are seen as an alternative to common cannabis, which usually comes in the form of compressed blocks smuggled from Thailand or sourced domestically." He said compressed cannabis is easier to obtain, costing around RM3,200 per kg. Authorities also believe that drug-laced vape liquids often contain THC extracted from cannabis buds as the main ingredient. "In July 2023, police busted a syndicate comprising three family members who infused 'ganja juice' into bottles of vape liquid. "The syndicate sold the cannabis-infused vape liquid at RM240 per bottle, or in small doses priced between RM3 and RM5 per drop, targeting school students who couldn't afford a full bottle." In another case in Kuala Lumpur in 2023, police seized 3.5 litres of cannabis liquid that had been processed as vape flavouring, he said. He said a syndicate operating in Brickfields was found to be bottling THC in 5ml containers and selling them at RM60 each. Mat Zani said the NCID has detected and taken action against the sale of cannabis buds nationwide. Thirteen arrests linked to cannabis buds were recorded in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, along with one case in Negeri Sembilan, between 2023 and April this year. "The sale or use of any cannabis product is illegal and carries severe penalties," he said. He added that drug trafficking offences are investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act, which provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment. He also reminded the public not to get involved in cannabis-related trafficking or abuse, whether in the form of cannabis buds or cannabis-flavoured vape products. "Police are also engaging with the community, especially the youth, to ensure they are not deceived by this new trend and that they understand the dangers and legal consequences," he said.
![[UPDATED] Deported Indian fugitive may have tried to set up drug network](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FIGP_1748750912.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Deported Indian fugitive may have tried to set up drug network
KUALA LUMPUR: Federal police are looking into the movements of the Indian drug kingpin who was arrested at a hotel here and deported back to India. The suspect, who was identified by various Indian news portals as Naveen Chichkar, 35 has a background in criminal psychology and also studied film and television in London. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said part of the probe into the fugitive would be to determine if he tried to set up a network in Malaysia. "We are looking into everyone he met, all the locations he went to and exactly what he planned to do in Malaysia. "We are not taking any chances. We do not want foreigners coming to Malaysia and setting up drug networks or conducting drug deals on our soil," he told the New Straits Times today. Razarudin said current intelligence suggested that this individual was running drug cartel activities from outside of his home country. "Through the Bukit Aman Narcotic Crime Investigation Department (NCID), we will liaise with our counterparts in India to exchange information and determine just how vast his operations were," he said. LINK: Yesterday, it was reported that the drug kingpin who entered the country on a tourist visa was found hiding out in a hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The man was nabbed in a joint effort by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and NCID police. The team, from federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman, nabbed the man in the hotel room about 1.35am on May 13. Razarudin said the man was repatriated to India on May 27 via a flight at 6.54pm. Further investigation revealed that the man was not involved in any drug trafficking activities in Malaysia. However, further action and intelligence efforts are being actively conducted by the NCID to determine if the man has any links to drug networks in the country. According to an Indian news portal, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) there arrested a Navi Mumbai resident, alleged to be the kingpin of a "transnational drug syndicate", after securing his deportation from Malaysia on Wednesday. It reported that Naveen Chichkar, 35, was wanted in multiple cases registered by the NCB, and would be brought to Mumbai on Thursday afternoon, an official said. The cartel operated by Chichkar sold drugs in India worth RM635 million including cocaine and hybrid strain hydroponic weed that were sourced from the United States via cargo shipments. Another portal reported that Chickar studied film and television as well as criminal psychology in London and was running drug cartel operations from outside of India. The cartel primarily deals in cocaine and hybrid strain hydroponic weed. These substances would be smuggled into Mumbai via air cargo shipments from the US. Once in Mumbai, the drugs were distributed across various states in India. Investigations have also revealed that apart from selling drugs in India, the cartel was re-exporting them to foreign markets, including Australia.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Police seize 69.82kg ganja, arrest suspected dealer in Melawati
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have arrested a man suspected of being a drug dealer and seized 69.82 kilogrammes of ganja during a raid at a house in Taman Melawati last Thursday. Federal Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) acting director Deputy Commissioner Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said police discovered 66 compressed packages of ganja, worth RM216,457, in a Toyota Vellfire during the search of the house. He said the 44-year-old suspect, believed to have been active since November last year and has two prior records related to crime and drug offences. "Further investigation showed that the drugs were smuggled in from a neighbouring country through the Perlis border before being transported to the Klang Valley for distribution in the local market," he said in a statement today. Mat Zani said his team had also taken action under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988 by seizing a Ducati motorcycle belonging to the suspect, valued at approximately RM29,500, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM245,957. "The results of the initial screening test showed that the suspect tested negative for drugs. " He has been remanded for seven days until June 5 to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," he added.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Police arrest man in Taman Melawati, seize RM200,000 in ganja smuggled across border
KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — Police have arrested a man suspected of being a drug dealer and seized 69.82 kilogrammes of ganja during a raid at a house in Taman Melawati last Thursday. Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) acting director DCP Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said police discovered 66 compressed packages of ganja, worth RM216,457, in a Toyota Vellfire during the search of the house. He said the 44-year-old suspect, believed to have been active since November last year, has two prior records related to crime and drug offences. 'Further investigation revealed that the drugs were smuggled in from a neighbouring country through the Perlis border before being transported to the Klang Valley for distribution in the local market,' he said in a statement today. Mat Zani said his team had also taken action under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988 by seizing a Ducati motorcycle belonging to the suspect, valued at approximately RM29,500, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM245,957. 'The results of the initial screening test showed that the suspect tested negative for drugs. He has been remanded for seven days until June 5 to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,' he added. — Bernama
