GEORGE TOWN: Police busted a drug trafficking syndicate with the arrest of six people, including two women, and seized an assortment of drugs worth nearly RM3 million recently.
The arrests and seizures were from five simultaneous raids conducted in residential units in George Town and Butterworth on Dec 6 and Dec 13.
State deputy police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the raids on December 6 in George Town and Butterworth resulted in the arrest of six individuals, aged between 26 and 42, all of whom are believed to be members of the syndicate.
"We believe the drugs are for the local market, mainly targeting entertainment joints in the state.
"The drugs are obtained from a drug distribution network before being distributed," he told newsmen at the northeast district police headquarters here today.
Alwi said following the raids and seizures on Dec 6, as well as intelligence received, police launched another raid at a rented luxury condominium in Sungai Nibong here last Friday.
Checks at the house led to the recovery of various drugs, including 55,250 Erimin 5 pills weighing 15,602g, 382g of ketamine, and 50 ecstasy pills weighing 21.05g, he said.
"Further investigation showed the syndicate has been active since the beginning of this year.
"Urine tests on the six came back negative. None of them had any previous record.
"The drugs seized from both raids amounted to RM2.973 million," he added.
All those arrested have been remanded until Dec 20 to assist in investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952.
Alwi said police also seized nine cars worth RM755,500, four bank accounts totalling RM64,703.49, cash amounting to RM26,085 and jewellery worth RM800.