JOHOR BARU: Police seized more than RM1.85 million worth of drugs hidden in drink sachets with the arrest of five suspects, including a mother and son, in Seri Alam and the state capital on Jul 31.
Police narcotic officers conducted three raids in the housing estates after intelligence revealed that the drug distribution syndicate members were actively operating for a month.
Johor police chief Commissioner M. Kumar said between midnight and 9.30am on Wednesday, the raiding party stormed into three rented terrace houses and arrested five suspects aged between 28 and 59.
"In the first house, a couple was arrested, while the woman and her son were arrested in the second, and another man was arrested in the third premises," Kumar told a press conference held at the state police contingent headquarters, here, today.
Police investigations revealed that the unmarried couple acted as 'runners', for the mother-son duo who supervised the drug distribution.
The syndicate's modus operandi was to import the contraband from neighbouring countries before repacking them in household brand drink sachets to elude the authorities.
Investigations revealed that the drugs were distributed locally, and the syndicate had a chain of regular 'buyers'
Kumar said three of the five suspects tested positive for benzodiazepines, while two had previous drug-related criminal records.
Benzodiazepines, commonly known as Benzos, are controlled substances used as medications to slow down brain activity and the nervous system.
The suspects were remanded to facilitate investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which is punishable with the mandatory death sentence.
Police confiscated RM75,506 in Singaporean, Hong Kong and Chinese currencies.
Four cars, a motorcycle, jewellery, and watches, valued at RM2,388,335 were also confiscated during the raids
Also seized were 10,920 grams of ecstasy, ketamine (95g), syabu, ecstasy and Erimin 5 pills, valued at RM1,857,019, for the consumption of 37,496 addicts.