SHAH ALAM: The police have successfully uncovered a drug processing operation believed to be led by an international syndicate through several raids in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur on January 16. During these operations, the police seized 832.9 kilograms (kg) of various drugs, valued at nearly RM118 million, along with 15 handguns, one submachine gun barrel, and 900 rounds of ammunition.
According to the Director of Bukit Aman’s Narcotics Crime Investigation Department, Datuk Seri Khaw Kok Chin, the first raid took place at a warehouse in Taman Industri Alam Jaya 2, Puncak Alam, at 2:20 PM, where eight Taiwanese men were arrested. They are suspected of acting as ‘chemists’ processing drugs. The inspection of the location revealed 306 kg of Erimin 5, 183.7 kg of ecstasy, drug processing equipment, and various chemicals.
The second raid took place at 2:30 PM at a premises in Pusat Dagangan Puncak Alam Jaya, where two Taiwanese men and a Thai woman were arrested. The inspection found 533 grams of ketamine and 203 grams of Erimin 5.
Following these arrests, the police were led to a house in Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur, which was used as a storage facility for the processed drugs. There, the police found 310 kg of suspected ecstasy, 21.1 kg of cocaine, 5.2 kg of methamphetamine, 3.6 kg of heroin, 1.8 kg of heroin base, 0.5 kg of cannabis, and 0.4 kg of ketamine. Additionally, 15 handguns, one submachine gun barrel, and 900 rounds of ammunition were also seized.
A further raid took place at 2:40 PM in Taman Balakong Jaya, Seri Kembangan, where a local man suspected of acting as the syndicate’s coordinator was arrested. The syndicate’s modus operandi is believed to involve using industrial warehouses to process drugs, while rented houses are used as storage.
The police believe the syndicate has been operating since early December last year, processing drugs obtained from both local and international sources, including Japan and Cambodia. Preliminary urine tests revealed that three Taiwanese men tested positive for drugs, and a record check showed that six suspects had criminal records, including drug-related crimes, murder, violent crime, and fraud.
The police are also investigating whether the firearms seized were brought into the country for personal use during drug transactions or for other purposes. Additionally, assets and cash valued at approximately RM1 million were seized.
All suspects are currently under a seven-day remand starting January 17, and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Section 7 of the Firearms Act 1971 (Heavier Penalties), and Section 8(a) of the Firearms Act 1960.
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