Three drug syndicates allegedly used condominiums with multiple layers of security, proxy tenants and various communication channels to distribute drug-laced drinks, police have revealed.
The operation was uncovered following nine raids conducted by Kuala Lumpur’s Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) in Cheras, Brickfields and Dang Wangi in Kuala Lumpur, as well as Ampang in Selangor, between Oct 19 and 22.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said 23 suspects, aged between 21 and 40, including four women, were arrested during the raids.
Of those detained, 17 were Malaysians and six were foreigners, who allegedly played various roles in the syndicates, including masterminds and distributors.
Police seized 393.965kg of suspected drugs worth RM2.15 million, Fadil told a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters on Wednesday.
The seized items included 966 packets of suspected MDMA, 401 bottles of suspected liquid MDMA, 40 packets of suspected ketamine and 1,250 Erimin 5 pills.
Fadil said the drugs were believed to have originated overseas before being repackaged at premises in the country.
Investigations found that the syndicates allegedly mixed drugs into bottles of drinks before selling them at entertainment outlets or private parties for between RM200 and RM300 per bottle. Individual packets of drugs were also reportedly sold within the same price range.
He added that the three syndicates were believed to be linked and had rented condominiums through proxies while maintaining multiple layers of security.
Police will continue tracking down everyone involved in the drug supply chain, from suppliers and distributors to those storing and using the substances.
Fadil said six Malaysian suspects had previous criminal records. Of the foreign suspects, five had entered Malaysia using social visit passes, while one did not possess such a pass.
He stressed that police would not compromise with anyone involved in drug trafficking, adding that possessing, distributing or protecting drug-related activities were serious offences.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
