PASIR GUDANGI, Nov 29 — Johor police busted a felony syndicate that specialises in distributing illicit medication and smuggling contraband with the arrest of 5 males, together with one with a “Datuk” title, after two raids beginning on Monday.
Police seized and confiscated untaxed alcoholic beverages worth about RM10.15 million and illicit medication worth about RM1.8 million through the raids at a manufacturing facility premise within the Pasir Puteh Industrial Area right here and a number of different areas in Johor Baru.
Johor police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat mentioned the primary raid by the police’s Simpang Renggam fifth Battalion General Operations Force (PGA) was carried out between 11am to 8pm.
“During the primary raid, the police arrested three males, together with a neighborhood, aged between 26 to 46. In the operation, the raiding group inspected 11 containers and discovered 7,910 containers containing 189,840 cans of contraband alcoholic beverages worth RM5,538,977.
“The syndicate’s modus operandi concerned bringing untaxed beverages to be saved in a container earlier than being delivered based on orders within the Johor Baru metropolis centre,” mentioned Kamarul Zaman throughout a press convention held on the Seri Alam district police headquarters right here right this moment including that the gang has been lively since November final yr.
The state’s prime cop mentioned from the primary raid, police uncovered and raided a mini laboratory that was used to course of methamphetamine and ecstasy-based medication.
He mentioned together with plenty of illicit medication, investigators from the Seri Alam Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) additionally seized gear used for processing the prohibited substances.
“Following the collection of raids from 7pm on Monday till 4pm yesterday, police launched two different raids in Johor Bahru, earlier than arresting two males, aged 46 and 54, together with one with the ‘Datuk’ title,” he mentioned.
Kamarul Zaman mentioned the 46-year-old “Datuk” suspect is a businessman and is believed to be the mastermind behind the 2 syndicates concerned.
He mentioned that the syndicate’s modus operandi involving the drug trafficking actions was to show a part of the container cabin right into a processing and storage place for the medication earlier than it was distributed to the native market.
“This syndicate’s drug distribution exercise has been actively working since June this yr.
“During the raids, investigators additionally seized a barrel containing 22.84 kilogrammes (kg) of ecstasy powder worth RM1,676,823; 2,320 ecstasy tablets weighing 696 grammes worth RM50,982 and 10 barrels and three bottles containing 182.90 litres of chemical liquid worth RM70,416,” he mentioned, including that the whole worth of the seized gadgets was at RM1,798,221.
Johor police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat with the seized contraband beverages in Pasir Gudang November 29, 2023. ― Picture by Ben Tan
In addition, Kamarul Zaman mentioned that police additionally seized drug processing gear along with confiscating 10 automobiles worth RM2,587,000; numerous jewellery worth RM219,048 and money of varied currencies worth RM235,397.
He mentioned the whole seizure amounted to RM3,041,445.
“The complete worth of the confiscated medication throughout this operation is at RM4,839,666 and can feed 78,470 addicts, whereas the contraband alcohol with out customs duties is at RM10,378,643,” he mentioned.
Kamarul Zaman mentioned 5 suspects have been discovered destructive for medication throughout a urine screening check and all of them had no prior felony data.
He mentioned that every one suspects have been remanded for 4 days beginning on Monday till Friday to help investigators.
“The case is being investigated beneath Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, Section 6 (1)(2) Immigration Act 1959/63 (Amendment 2002), Section 39Bbof the Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) 1952 and Section 3(1) of the DDA (Special Preventive Measures) 1985,” he mentioned.
Meanwhile, Kamarul Zaman mentioned from January 1 to November 27, the Johor NCID had efficiently arrested 15,483 individuals for numerous drug offences.
In the identical interval, he mentioned police had succeeded in confiscating 4.74 tonnes of illicit medication, whereas the whole quantity of medicine seized was worth RM33.80 million, with confiscation of belongings amounting to RM13.29 million.
