KUALA LUMPUR: The luxurious lifestyle of an event decorator came under scrutiny when he was arrested with more than 25kg of drugs during raids in Cheras and Kajang yesterday.
Cheras police chief Assistant Commissioner Ravindar Singh Sarban Singh said the 40-year-old man was arrested at noon with 22.67kg of cannabis and 27.76g of Erimin 5 in a Honda Insight car.
Following interrogation, Cheras Narcotic Crime Investigation Department (NCID) also raided a luxury condominium in Kajang suspected to be used as a drug storage facility.
"The raid in Kajang yielded 4.29kg of cannabis valued at RM13,299 and resulted in the seizure of two vehicles — a Toyota Alphard and a Mini Cooper.
"Initial investigations suggest that the suspect has been actively involved in drug distribution sourced from around the Klang Valley since early this year."
He added that the suspect allegedly received supplies from other distributors in the city before distributing them in the Cheras area. However, the true source of the drugs remains under investigation.
The suspect reportedly utilised a heavily guarded luxury condominium as a storage facility to evade authorities, a tactic that was eventually uncovered by the police.
"The suspect reportedly worked independently as an event decorator, using drug distribution as his primary source of income.
"This successful operation was made possible by public information provided to the police."
Ravindar said overall, police seized 24.96kg of cannabis, 27.75 g of Erimin 5 valued at RM77,947, RM3,000 in cash, and three vehicles.
He estimated that the confiscated drugs could potentially cater to approximately 5,000 users in the Klang Valley.
"The suspect has been remanded for six days from yesterday until July 17 to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
"Police also encourages the public with any information to contact the Cheras district police at 03-92050222 or the Kuala Lumpur police hotline at 03-2115999."