Johor police cripple drug ring, seize RM7.93m drugs from ‘repository’ homes

Johor police have dismantled a drug trafficking network, seizing drugs worth RM7.93 million during three raids in Seri Alam. A Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department team arrested eight local men and one foreign woman aged between 35 and 65 on August 12. The first raid targeted a house in Masai, where three men were apprehended and 39.809kg of ecstasy powder, 4.91kg of ketamine, and 13,400 Erimin 5 pills were seized.

The second raid at a raft house also resulted in the arrest of four locals and the seizure of 572g of ecstasy, while the third raid in Ulu Tiram led to the arrest of a local man and a foreign woman, with 230 cartridges of liquid suspected to be syabu, 1.149kg of ecstasy, and 358 grams of syabu found. Investigators estimate the illicit drugs could reach up to 323,841 users in the market.

Five cars, two speedboats, and RM11,320 in cash were also seized, with the total value of the drugs at RM8.14 million. The syndicate is believed to have been active since January and used gated residences to avoid detection. Each suspect had a specific role within the operation, and one is suspected to be the mastermind. All nine suspects, who tested positive for drug abuse, have been remanded until August 25, with six having prior drug-related records. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.