Police have dismantled a major drug trafficking syndicate after seizing nearly 440kg of drugs worth an estimated RM17.78 million in what is believed to be the largest drug bust in Malaysia so far this year.
Bukit Aman narcotics criminal investigation department director Hussein Omar Khan said police confiscated 225 packages of methamphetamine weighing 234kg and 200 packages of ketamine weighing 205.7kg during a raid at a terrace house in Taman Sri Hartamas here on July 29
“The estimated market value of the drugs is around RM17.78 million… I believe this is the largest seizure in the country so far this year,” he said at a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters here.
Hussein said the drugs, which were believed to have been smuggled by land from a neighbouring country, were concealed in packets resembling Chinese tea.
He said a man who was arrested during the raid was believed to have acted as both coordinator and transporter for the syndicate, and had used the house as a drug storage facility.
Police also seized two cars, a ring, a bracelet, three watches, and a mobile phone, all valued at RM93,350.
The suspect was remanded for six days starting July 30.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment, along with 12 strokes of the cane upon conviction.
In a separate case, Hussein said police seized over RM1.48 million worth of cannabis buds following the arrest of four suspects, including three Vietnamese nationals, during a raid at an apartment in Taman Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park on July 29.
