GEORGE TOWN: Some 840kg of ganja worth RM2.12mil have been seized, with police busting a ganja trafficking syndicate here in what is believed to be the biggest such crackdown so far this year.Eight suspects, including two Thai nationals, were detained during the raids in Sungai Bakap and Simpang Ampat.

       Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the suspects, aged between 35 and 59, were detained during a joint operation conducted with the state NCID from 10.50pm on Friday until 1am the following day.

       “In the first raid at a residential area in Sungai Bakap, police stumbled upon a group of men who were busy unloading sacks containing ganja from a lorry,” Comm Ayob Khan told a press conference at the state police contingent headquarters here yesterday.

       He said the ganja was believed to be for local distribution.

       “Seven suspects were nabbed in the first raid, while another was detained in another raid in Simpang Ampat,” he said.

       Comm Ayob also said police confiscated 848 slabs of ganja valued at about RM2.12mil, which could have been supplied to an estimated 1.6 million drug users.

       Three vehicles worth RM80,000 were also seized.

       Comm Ayob said the syndicate had been operating since the end of last year and that it was believed to be smuggling drugs from southern Thailand through sea routes.

       “Urine tests found that five of the suspects positive for THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and morphine,” he said, adding that the five were found to have criminal records.

       Comm Ayob said the suspects were remanded for seven days and the case was being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.