International drug ring busted, over $480 million worth of drugs seized in Klang Valley raids

KUALA LUMPUR – An international drug syndicate has been busted, leading to over 18 tonnes of drugs worth RM1.53 billion (S$485 million) seized, one of the biggest hauls ever recorded.

Six individuals – three local men and three foreign women – were also detained in a series of raids in Klang Valley on Dec 16.

The raids uncovered a massive drug-processing laboratory in a three-storey bungalow and various other premises used for drug storage.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Hussein Omar Khan said the first raid was conducted in Cheras, where all six suspects were detained.

“A search of a house led to the seizure of six bottles of liquid believed to contain MDMA, weighing about 3kg,” he told a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters on Dec 20.

“A second raid at Taman Taynton View, Cheras, uncovered suspected cocaine in powder form weighing about 738kg, liquid cocaine weighing approximately three tonnes as well as various drug-processing equipment.”

In a third raid at industrial premises in Sungai Chua, Kajang, Selangor, police seized three tonnes of ketamine in powder form, 10.06 tonnes of liquid ketamine and additional processing equipment, Datuk Hussein said.

“The fourth raid, carried out at a premise in Taman Industri Mega, Bandar Teknologi Kajang, resulted in the seizure of 28 white sacks containing 1,400 yellow plastic packets of suspected ketamine powder weighing about 1.4 tonnes, along with drug-processing tools,” he added.

Mr Hussein said the raids resulted in drugs worth RM1.53 billion seized, including 3kg of MDMA, four tonnes of cocaine and 14.49 tonnes of ketamine.

“It is definitely one of the biggest drug seizures ever,” he said. “The drugs could have been supplied to 68.5 million users.”

Investigations revealed that a local man acted as the storekeeper and assistant chemist, while the other two local men were his trusted aides responsible for managing residential houses and business premises used as illegal drug-processing labs.

“The three foreign women detained were the girlfriends of the male suspects,” Mr Hussein said.

The syndicate is believed to have been active since April, catering to the international market and using homes and commercial premises as clandestine labs.

NCID investigations showed that the syndicate had been making shipments overseas before the raids, Mr Hussein added.

He said the three local men tested positive for various drugs, including ketamine and methamphetamine, and will be remanded until Dec 23.

The police have also taken action under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act, with total seizures including six vehicles valued at RM389,000, he said.

Mr Hussein said the success of the operation was the result of continuous intelligence work and cooperation from the public, and stressed that there will be no compromise with individuals involved in drug trafficking.

“The NCID remains committed to combating drugs to protect present and future generations. Drugs are the nation’s No. 1 enemy,” police said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK