JOHOR BARU: Police arrested three people, including a couple, in a series of raids that saw drugs worth over RM1.445 million seized on Sept 28.
The three, aged between 26 and 35, were detained on Sept 28, between 6.30am and 4pm, in the state capital.
Johor Baru (South) police chief Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat said three were believed to be members of a syndicate which had been operating since August.
He said the syndicate had used apartments and double-storey houses to package and store the drugs before distributing them locally.
The suspects are believed to be key figures and distributors for the syndicate in the area, Raub told reporters.
He said the drugs were packaged in instant drink packets, and sold for between RM200 and RM300 each.
The seizures included 8.6kg of ecstasy powder, 164g of ketamine, Eramin 5 pills, and 5g of syabu.
The haul is estimated to have been able to supply 9,560 drug users.
In addition to the drugs, police also seized RM385, two bracelets, a necklace, a pair of earrings, digital weighing scales, a blender and a house key.
Raub said efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate.
"Initial urine tests found that the two male suspects tested positive for amphetamine. Both a male and female suspect have prior criminal records related to drugs," he added.
The suspects have been remanded for 13 days until Oct 11 to facilitate investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for trafficking.