MIRI: Narcotics police here dismantled a drug distribution syndicate with the arrest of two local men and the seizure of various drugs worth RM234,750 during a series of raids here last week.
Acting on gathered intelligence, the operation began with a raid at a restaurant in Senadin between 3 pm and 7 pm.
Miri police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the first suspect, aged 29, was arrested after police seized 1.25g of ketamine from him. This then led to the arrest of the second suspect, aged 28, in the same area.
“The second suspect later led police to a courier service premises in Riam, where 5.5kg of methamphetamine was seized.
“Acting on further leads, the first suspect directed police to a double-storey house in Tudan, where 804.25g of MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) was recovered.
“In total, police seized 1.25g of ketamine, 5.5kg of methamphetamine and 804.25g of MDMA, with an estimated street value of RM234,750. A vehicle worth RM10,000 was also confiscated,” he said at a press conference yesterday (Sept 2).
Mohd Farhan said the drugs could have endangered the lives of about 30,181 users.
Background checks found that the first suspect, who tested positive for ketamine, had a drug-related record. Meanwhile, the second, who tested positive for methamphetamine, had no prior records.
The suspects are being remanded for six days until Sept 5 to facilitate investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
Aside from that, they are also being probed under Section 12(2) of the same Act, which provides for up to five years imprisonment, a fine up to RM100,000, or both, upon conviction.
“Efforts are underway to track down other syndicate members still at large to ensure the entire network is dismantled.
“Police will not compromise with anyone involved in drug trafficking,” he said.
Members of the public are urged to report any information related to drug activities through the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) hotline at 012-2087222.
