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POLICE arrested two local men and seized narcotics worth RM13.6 million following a raid on a rented home in Bandar Baru Sri Petaling last Sunday.
The operation, which was carried out at around 5.30pm on April 14, came after nearly two months of surveillance on the suspects.
“At the time, the suspects were enjoying a cup of coffee when we moved in and arrested both of them,” said Deputy Commissioner Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali, Acting Director of the Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (JSJN).
“Following the arrests, we conducted a search of the suspects’ rented house, also located in Bandar Baru Sri Petaling, and found 296 packages of drugs. The total value of the seized drugs is estimated at RM13.6 million. This amount is enough to potentially harm over one million users.”
According to police, each package weighed approximately one kilogram and was falsely labelled as herbal products imported from China in an attempt to deceive authorities.
Out of the 269 drug-laden parcels, 210 contained ketamine, 55 held methamphetamine, and four were filled with ecstasy.
Investigators believe the syndicate used the rented residence, leased since November 2024 for RM1,700 per month, as a storage site before distributing the drugs locally and to overseas markets.
“These drugs were meant not only for the local market but also for export to Indonesia and Hong Kong,” said Mat Zani. “Those we arrested were acting as storekeepers and runners, taking orders from someone we’re currently working to identify.”
He added that communication between the suspects and the syndicate’s mastermind had taken place via the WeChat app, and police suspect the ringleader is based in Thailand.
Both suspects, aged 43 and 42, tested positive for methamphetamine use and have been remanded for seven days starting 15 April to assist with investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The case is the latest in a series of high-profile drug busts in Malaysia as authorities ramp up efforts to dismantle regional narcotics networks. – April 18, 2025