Latest news with #drugsyndicate
Malay Mail
28-05-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Johor police dismantle two drug syndicates, seize RM2.3m in narcotics
JOHOR BAHRU, May 28 — Johor police have dismantled two drug syndicates in the state, following the arrest of eight individuals and seizure of various types of drugs amounting to RM2.3 million in separate raids at Jalan Skudai Lama and in Pontian on May 20 and 21. Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar said in the first case, seven individuals were arrested, comprising five local men and two foreign women, aged between 29 and 54. He said the syndicate, believed to have been active since January last year, used the WeChat application as their main platform for transactions. 'Various types of drugs were found in a car and a terrace house which had been used as a storage location. 'In total, drugs worth RM1.23 million were seized, including 7.08 kilogrammes (kg) of ecstasy powder, 1.37 kg of heroin, 139.34 grammes of ketamine, 123.10 grammes of syabu, and 127 eramin 5 pills,' he told a press conference, here today. He said police also confiscated three cars, two motorcycles, RM9,320 in cash, and jewellery worth RM32,453. Meanwhile, in a separate case, police arrested a 35-year-old local man and seized various drugs weighing 6.46 kilogrammes worth RM1.07 million during a raid in the Pontian area on May 21. He said the man was believed to have used a terraced house in the district as a drug storage and distribution hub. 'We are still tracking other members of this group, believed to have been active since March 2025,' he said. — Bernama
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy star Manu Vatuvei opens up about why his time in jail for smuggling $200,000 worth of meth will haunt him for the rest of his life
Fallen NRL star Manu Vatuvei has expressed his deep regret about smuggling meth, adamant his jail experience will stay with him forever. Vatuvei, 39, was sent to prison in 2022 for three years and seven months for his role in the drug syndicate - before he was paroled under special conditions in May of 2023. Along with his brother Lopini Lautau Mafi, Vatuvei was caught by authorities removing nine packets of concealed methamphetamine - worth $200,000 - from a package which arrived in New Zealand from India in 2019. 'The Beast' knows some footy fans will never forgive him - but he is still seeking redemption, day by day. 'I take ownership of what I did and I'm accountable for it, and now I'm changing my life again and rebuilding from the start,' he told the New Zealand Herald. 'I'm ready to move forward, but it'll always be on me, everything that I've done. Vatuvei was a fan favourite at the New Zealand Warriors, playing 226 games for the club and scoring 152 tries 'All the hate that I get, I'll just use that as energy to show that I'm doing something good.' Once Vatuvei was released from behind bars, he started working with Dave Letele's Buttabean Motivation (BBM) team in New Zealand. Letele is a former Kiwi heavyweight boxer who after retiring from the sport in 2016 turned his attention to motivational speaking and providing food for the needy. 'I owe him a lot. He (Letele) never looked down at me or anything,' Vatuvei said. 'He just took me under his wing and gave me the opportunity, but then it was up to me to work my arse off. 'Now I'm working hard and giving back to the community....I also share my story.' The father of five's sporting career ended abruptly in June of 2019 after it was discovered the hulking winger had a cyst on his brain. Vatuvei was a fan favourite at the New Zealand Warriors, playing 226 games for the club as well as 29 Tests for the Kiwis and two for Tonga. He also featured in the 2011 NRL Grand Final, scoring a four-pointer in the 24-10 defeat against Manly - and his 152 tries between 2004 and 2017 remains a club record.
Malay Mail
16-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Police uncover courier-assisted drug ring in Penang, seize RM2.1m in narcotics as suspect used juice boxes for MDMA distribution
GEORGE TOWN, May 16 — Penang police have uncovered a drug processing and distribution operation using courier services, seizing an assortment of narcotics worth RM2.1 million in two raids in Butterworth yesterday. Penang police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department launched the operation between 9 am and 8 pm, leading to the arrest of a 41-year-old man at the parking lot of a condominium. 'Police raided a unit in the condominium and discovered various types of drugs, including 5,320 grammes of MDMA, 397 sachets of instant drink powder containing MDMA, 384 grams of ketamine, 500 Erimin 5 tablets and 150 ecstasy pills. 'A range of drug-processing and packaging equipment was also seized from the rented unit. The suspect is believed to possess the expertise to process multiple substances into MDMA,' he told a press conference today. Hamzah said the suspect's modus operandi involved repackaging MDMA into juice boxes or instant beverage sachets for distribution to buyers via various courier services. Hamzah said the suspect's activities were uncovered following three weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering, which also led police to identify the syndicate supplying him with the drugs. 'The man is unemployed but was living a lavish lifestyle funded by his drug trafficking activities, which began late last year. He also tested positive for drugs and has a prior criminal record,' he said. Police also seized a luxury Mercedes-Benz vehicle, cash, and seven pieces of gold jewellery, with a combined estimated value of RM170,882. The suspect has been remanded for seven days until May 22 to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. — Bernama
Malay Mail
08-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Police dismantle drug syndicate, seize RM16m worth of meth in Klang Valley raids
KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 — A joint operation by federal and Kuala Lumpur narcotics police has dismantled a drug distribution syndicate, resulting in the seizure of over RM16 million worth of drugs. Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said five individuals, including a Filipino, were arrested during a series of raids last week. The suspects, aged between 23 and 45, were detained at various locations in the Klang Valley between April 29 and May 6. In the first raid on April 29, Rusdi said two suspects were apprehended in Ampang and Taman Melati, leading to the discovery of 205kg of methamphetamine worth RM6.56 million stored in their vehicles. 'Their modus operandi involves receiving drugs from Kelantan and using their vehicles as storage for the supplies,' he said. In the second raid on May 5, Rusdi said a suspect was arrested and later led authorities to a shoplot at Berjaya Times Square, Jalan Imbi, where 221kg of methamphetamine worth RM7.07 million was stored. 'We believe this suspect has been operating since February, using shoplots in shopping malls as drug storage facilities to evade detection,' he said. In the final raid on May 6, Rusdi said two suspects were arrested at a luxury condominium in Taman Mastiara. This led authorities to the discovery of various narcotics worth RM2.38 million inside a condominium unit. 'The seized drugs are estimated to potentially supply approximately 3.2 million users,' he added.
