Penang, Thai cops seize drugs worth over RM4m in joint operation

George Town, Sept 1 — In a significant crackdown on a drug syndicate, four individuals, including a married couple, have been apprehended by the Penang police. The operation, which involved the seizure of 86 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, was the result of intelligence shared between the Royal Malaysia Police and the Royal Thai Police.

The Malaysian suspects were arrested following the arrest of a Malaysian man in Hua Hin, Thailand, on Aug 8. Penang police chief Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng revealed that the operation, named Op Zorav Terra, targeted the syndicate's transporters, who were found hiding the drugs in their car during a raid in Selangor on Aug 13. A follow-up operation on Aug 14 led to the arrest of a 19-year-old man in Butterworth, and the discovery of 86 kg of methamphetamine concealed in a Nissan Teana parked at a hotel.

According to Lim, the suspects had allegedly transported drugs from Thailand to Malaysia several times, using modified Malaysian-registered vehicles. The syndicate, believed to have been active since June last year, operated both in Malaysia and Thailand and earned around RM6,000 per trip. The mastermind behind the syndicate is believed to be based in Thailand, while the members and network are active in Malaysia.

The NCID seized five vehicles worth RM420,700, and all suspects—aged between 19 and 25—had no prior criminal records. One suspect tested positive for ketamine during a urine screening. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.