KUALA LUMPUR: Nine personnel and officers from an enforcement agency and a fisherman were detained for allegedly trafficking drugs.

       The suspects from the enforcement agency would sell syabu seized in operations to a local drug syndicate before the drugs were smuggled to Indonesia.

       Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay (pic) said the suspects, aged between 33 and 49 years old, were detained in three raids held in Johor Baru and Putrajaya from March 6 to 8.

       "The enforcement agency personnel and officers are based in Putrajaya with accomplices in Johor Baru.

       "We believe the suspects sold some 50kg of syabu, which had been seized in an operation along the Straits of Malacca, to a drug syndicate, based in northern Peninsular Malaysia.

       "The drugs were then distributed to another syndicate based in Banting, Selangor, which attempted to smuggle the drugs for the market in Dumai, Indonesia," he told a press conference at Bukit Aman on Tuesday (March 15).

       Initial investigations revealed that the suspects have been active since last month, Comm Ayob said.

       "We managed to seize 5.3kg worth of syabu worth RM193,590 during the raids.

       "The drugs could have been supplied to 26.8 million addicts," he said.

       The suspects' assets, including four vehicles and cash worth RM190,000 were also seized, Comm Ayob said.

       "Drug syndicates prefer to smuggle syabu to Indonesia as it is much more expensive there. In Malaysia, 1kg of syabu is priced at RM36,000 but in Indonesia, it is RM100,000 per kg.

       "Syabu is also more expensive in Australia with 1kg of syabu priced at RM300,000," he said.

       Those detained have been remanded until March 20, he added.

       "Four of the enforcement agency personnel tested positive for methamphetamine.

       "Those from the enforcement agency were involved in operations in Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor," he said.

       Comm Ayob said the NCID will investigate further to uncover whether there are other enforcement personnel involved in such drug trafficking activities.

       "We will not compromise in taking action against those involved in drug trafficking, even if they are from government agencies.

       "Justice will be served without fear or favour," he said.

       He urged those with information on drug trafficking activities to contact the NCID hotline at 012-208 7222.