Police have dismantled an MDMA trafficking syndicate following the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of drugs and assets worth more than RM1.4 million in a series of raids around Bukit Mertajam earlier this week.
Penang Police Chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said two local men and a local woman, aged between 24 and 33, were detained during an operation conducted by the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) between 2pm on June 9 and 10am on June 10.
Investigations at a house in Bukit Mertajam led officers to the discovery of 302 colourful plastic packets containing suspected MDMA powder weighing a total of 8,086.80 grammes.
Following the initial raid, police tracked down and arrested another local man believed to be a syndicate associate who allegedly acted as a runner for the drug distribution network in the same area.
Authorities believe the syndicate had been actively involved in drug trafficking activities since April this year. Drug enforcement agencies continue to intensify efforts to curb the spread of synthetic drugs, which remain a major concern due to their growing demand and harmful effects.
Azizee said preliminary urine screening tests found all three suspects positive for ketamine, while background checks revealed that the first and third suspects had previous records involving criminal and drug-related offences.
Police also moved to seize assets under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, confiscating properties and valuables estimated to be worth RM215,783.20.
Among the assets seized were two vehicles — a Honda City and a Kia K2 — along with 30 pieces of jewellery, two branded handbags and cash.
“The value of the drugs seized is estimated at RM1,211,000, while the total value of assets confiscated is RM215,783.20. This brings the overall value of the seizure and forfeiture to RM1,426,783.20,” he said.
