Police crackdown on RM101 million narcotics ring operations

LocalPolitics
11 Mar 2026 • 1:34 PM MYT
The Vibes
The Vibes

Featuring breaking news & latest stories from every side.

image is not available

COPS have dealt significant blows to multiple drug syndicates in Melaka and Selangor, seizing vast quantities of narcotics and arresting 11 individuals during coordinated operations in early March.

In Melaka, police successfully dismantled a major drug network with an estimated street value of RM86.78 million following a series of raids across Melaka Tengah.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department Director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan confirmed today that the operations, conducted alongside the Commercial Crime Investigation Department, resulted in the arrest of four men and one woman aged between 23 and 55.

“The first raid on 6 March at a terraced house in Taman Puncak Bertam led to the apprehension of three suspects. Officers seized 12 packages of suspected Erimin 5 weighing 1.73 kilograms, along with 13 mobile phones, seven notebooks, and a laptop,” Hussein said.

A second raid on 8 March in Taman Kenanga resulted in the arrest of two additional suspects and the confiscation of various drugs, including MDMA in liquid and powder form, Erimin 5 pills, ecstasy tablets, and ketamine.

Hussein added that a third operation on the same day at a two-storey terraced house in Taman Satu Krubong uncovered an illicit drug processing laboratory, also used as storage.

Police recovered 274.08 kilograms of MDMA liquid, 303.85 kilograms of MDMA powder, alongside numerous ecstasy and Erimin 5 pills, ketamine, and drug-processing equipment.

“The total value of the seized narcotics is RM86.78 million, which could potentially affect 1.1 million users,” he noted, adding that the supply was believed to have originated from the Klang Valley for distribution across Melaka, particularly targeting entertainment districts.

Investigators revealed that two suspects acted as coordinators, one as a storage custodian, and two others as runners.

The syndicate had reportedly been active for six months, using rented properties as laboratories and storage before local distribution. One suspect tested positive for methamphetamine, and two others had previous drug convictions.

Authorities also seized assets worth approximately RM38,000, including a Proton Iriz car and a Yamaha Y15ZR motorcycle.

The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment, along with a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane.

Separately, Selangor police dismantled two interlinked syndicates involving international and local drug distribution, arresting six individuals, including one woman, and seizing over 221 kilograms of narcotics valued at RM14.6 million.

Selangor Police Chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the operations, conducted between 3 and 5 March across Gombak, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, Kota Warisan, and Sentul, uncovered international cannabis distribution networks and methamphetamine for the local market.

Five of the suspects were foreign nationals, and one was a local citizen.

On 3 March, a foreign male suspect was detained at KLIA with 27.2 kilograms of cannabis leaves in 49 plastic packages.

Subsequent raids on 4 March at a house in Kota Warisan led to the arrest of another foreign male, with authorities recovering an additional 14.3 kilograms of cannabis.

Further searches at a condominium in Mont Kiara resulted in the apprehension of two more suspects, including a foreign woman, along with 74.8 kilograms of cannabis in five suitcases.

The total cannabis seized amounted to 116.3 kilograms, estimated at RM9.35 million.

In a separate methamphetamine seizure, Selangor police detained two men, including a foreign national, in Gombak with 105.1 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine hidden in five canvas bags inside a Nissan van, valued at RM5.25 million.

Investigations revealed that the local suspect, aged 34, worked as a courier delivery driver and had three prior drug convictions, while the foreign suspect, aged 47, was employed at a temple near Batu Caves with no criminal record.

Authorities also confiscated additional assets believed to be proceeds from criminal activity, including a BMW M4, Proton Iriz, Yamaha Lagenda motorcycle, two luxury watches, and cryptocurrency, collectively valued at over RM870,000.

“All suspects are currently remanded to assist in investigations, which are being conducted under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” Shazeli said.

These operations reflect intensified efforts by Malaysian law enforcement to disrupt both domestic and international drug syndicates and curb the distribution of narcotics across the country. - March 11, 2026