Police have busted a drug distribution syndicate that used budget hotels as transit points and mini-labs for processing drugs following the arrest of two men at a hotel in Danga Bay, Johor, last Friday.
Johor Bahru Selatan District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat, said the suspects, aged 35 and 37, were detained around 3 a.m. in a hotel room.
Initial searches led to the seizure of 2.25 grams of methamphetamine, 100 grams of ketamine, and 80 grams of yaba pills.
“Following the arrest, police raided another room in the same hotel and found 7.7884 kilograms of ecstasy, along with various drug processing equipment,” he said at a press conference at the Johor Bahru Selatan Police Headquarters on Wednesday.
Also seized was a Honda Civic estimated to be worth RM80,000. The total value of the confiscated drugs is estimated at RM1.08 million.
Raub explained that the suspects frequently moved between hotels to evade authorities. The syndicate, believed to have been operating for the past two months, obtained drugs in bulk and repackaged them for local distribution, selling each packet for about RM250.
“The seized drugs are estimated to be enough for around 80,184 users,” he added.
Records show both suspects have previous criminal and drug offenses and tested positive for methamphetamine in urine tests.
The duo is remanded until tomorrow to assist with investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
