KUCHING, Mar 25: A drug distribution syndicate was dismantled when a team from the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID), Sarawak Contingent Police Headquarters conducted a raid on a luxury apartment in Batu Kawa.
Sarawak Police Commissioner, Dato Mancha Ata said during the March 22 raid, his team seized 11.9 kilograms of methamphetamine and 66 grams of ketamine, valued at RM394,000.
“We also confiscated a car worth RM40,000, a gold chain valued at RM10,345, and a branded sling bag worth RM12,000.
“The total value of assets seized in this special operation is RM62,345.60,” he said during a press conference at the Sarawak Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK) here today.
Ata added that during the raid, two local suspects aged between 26 and 29 were arrested.
He revealed that the syndicate, operational since 2022, employed the modus operandi of renting luxury apartments to avoid suspicion from authorities.
“They rented the luxury apartment in 2022 and turned it into a drug processing facility.
“We found chemicals indicating a refining process based on our experience, suggesting a process for purifying drugs, possibly old drugs that need to be refreshed, namely ‘ice’ or methamphetamine,” he said.
He added that the total amount of drugs seized could supply 59,632 drug users.
All suspects are currently remanded for seven days from March 24 to 30 for further investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Furthermore, the 29-year-old suspect has a previous record under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
“The initial urine screening test results found the 29-year-old suspect positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine, and ketamine, while the other suspect tested negative for drugs.
“The modus operandi of this syndicate is to obtain drug supplies from Peninsular Malaysia, distribute drugs in and around Kuching and nearby areas according to customer demand.
“Both suspects received wages ranging from RM10,000 to RM25,000,” said Ata. – TVS
