Police have dismantled what is believed to be the largest international drug syndicate ever uncovered in Malaysia, seizing 6.2 tonnes of narcotics valued at an estimated RM1.04 billion during a series of raids in the Klang Valley last month.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the operation, codenamed Op Gaharu 2.0, culminated on December 21 following the arrest of six suspects, including three women, in an earlier phase on December 16.
The first raid on December 21 at an industrial premises in Taman Industri Selasa Jaya, Seri Kembangan, led to the seizure of 5,983kg of liquid substances and 207kg of white powder, both believed to be MDMA, a synthetic drug under the methamphetamine category.
On the same day, police also raided a facility in Taman Perindustrian Kepong, where they confiscated 20kg of powder suspected to be cocaine and 1.25kg of white powder believed to be ketamine.
“In total, 6,212kg of drugs were seized, with an estimated street value of RM1.04 billion. The quantity is sufficient to potentially harm about 20.7 million drug users,” Hussein said at a press conference at the Semenyih police station today.
Investigations revealed the syndicate had brought in chemists from abroad and imported precursor chemicals, relying on local coordinators and members to process the drugs. The group was found to be operating out of 14 factory units and 10 residential properties, all converted into drug-processing laboratories and storage sites, with monthly rental costs ranging from RM6,000 to RM10,000.
Police believe the syndicate used Malaysia as a processing hub before distributing the drugs to several international markets, including Hong Kong and Australia. The network is believed to comprise more than 12 members, including its mastermind, and has been active since January this year.
“The equipment seized shows this was a highly organised, large-scale operation. We will work with foreign authorities and Interpol to track down and arrest the remaining members and the mastermind,” Hussein said.
In a separate development, Hussein revealed that the syndicate was also involved in online fraud. One of the raided premises in Kajang was allegedly operating as a scam call centre, leading to the arrest of 14 individuals. The case has since been handed over to the Commercial Crime Investigation Department for further investigation.
