By The Straits Times | Created at 2025-03-11 03:11:05 | Updated at 2025-03-11 18:10:46
15 hours ago
JOHOR BAHRU – Drug syndicates in Johor are repackaging substances like methamphetamine and ketamine into convenient drink sachets, and selling them for RM200 (S$60) to RM300 each, according to the state police.
Johor police chief M. Kumar said the sachets make the “cocktail” of substances difficult to distinguish from legitimate products.
The sachets seized so far in 2025 contained about 426.9kg and 2,854 litres of drugs, valued at RM47.4 million, noted Datuk Kumar.
“Syndicates typically reuse packaging from flavoured drinks, as well as popular coffee and chocolate malt beverages, to conceal the drugs,” he told a press conference at the Johor police headquarters on March 10.
The repackaged drugs were mostly distributed at places such as entertainment joints, he added.
Mr Kumar said that on March 4, the police arrested seven individuals, including a teenage school dropout, from two different syndicates and seized various drugs worth nearly RM7 million.
He said both groups, though not linked, shared similar modus operandi where they operated out of rented gated-and-guarded apartments in Johor Bahru.
The first operation took place in Bandar Seri Alam from 7.20am until 6pm, where two men and a Vietnamese woman were nabbed.
During the raid, 9.3kg of ecstasy, ketamine, and Erimin 5 in powdered and pill form worth RM1.59 million were found.
Mr Kumar added that the second raid in the city area lasted from 4.30pm until 2.30am the following day, with four individuals, including a woman and a 17-year-old runner for the syndicate, arrested.
During the second raid, more than 32kg of ecstasy powder valued at RM5.3 million and other substances such as methamphetamine and Erimin 5 pills were seized.
“If the drugs found in both raids were released to the market, they could cater to over 130,000 users, which would bring harm to society.
“The seven suspects arrested include the masterminds of each group.
“Three of the suspects also tested positive for drugs while three are on record for drug-related offences,” he said, adding that all seven, aged 17 to 42, have been placed under remand until March 12 under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The offence of drug trafficking carries a death sentence or lifetime imprisonment, and caning, upon conviction. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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