GEORGE TOWN: A 200m high speed chase ended up with a heroin trafficking syndicate being crippled with the seizure of 9,030g worth RM120,000 and three men arrested.
Penang Narcotics Crime Investigations Department chief Asst Comm Mohd Shukhairy Abd Sabhe said the suspects, aged between 34 and 53, were detained during an operation at Nibong Tebal and Kuala Kurau, Perak on Wednesday (June 15), for their alleged involvement in heroin trafficking.
"During the first raid, police followed a suspicious car at Nibong Tebal at about 3.50pm.
"The police then asked the man to stop his car, but he sped off," he said during a press conference at the state police headquarters on Friday (June 17).
ACP Mohd Shukhairy said police then gave chase about 200m before cornering the car at Jalan Besar.
A check in his car found drugs believed to be heroin weighing about 9,030g worth RM120,000.
ACP Mohd Shukhairy said following the arrest, police raided another location at Kuala Kurau in Perak, where they arrested a 53-year-old at a house at about 4.45pm.
He said another suspect was arrested at Nibong Tebal at about 10.40pm.
ACP Mohd Shukhairy said the total drug seizure can be used by 45,000 addicts and the drug syndicate is believed to have been active since early this year.
"We believe the drugs are believed to be for the local market," said ACP Mohd Shukhairy.
The suspects arrested tested positive for methamphetamine and were found to have had prior drug and criminal records.
ACP Mohd Shukhairy said during the operation, police confiscated a car worth RM80,000 and RM50,000 in cash.
He said the first suspect has been remanded for seven days until June 22 and will be investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952.
He added that another two suspects will be investigated under Section 3(1) of the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.
"We believe with this arrest, we have crippled a heroin trafficking syndicate that caters to the local market," he said.