GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) has crippled a drug processing and distribution syndicate here with the arrest of a 32-year-old man.
Penang police chief Commissioner Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the suspect was involved in distributing drugs including methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), syabu (methamphetamine), ketamine, ecstasy and Erimin 5 pills.
“During the raid on March 17, the police arrested a local man and seized 85 packets of MDMA (RM101,265); one packet of syabu (RM5,370); four packets of ketamine (RM2,475); 45 estasy pills (RM675) and 40 Erimin 5 pills (RM600).
“The investigation revealed that the syndicate’s drug distribution activities had been active since February 2022 for the local market.
“The seized drugs could have supported the habits of 800 drug addicts.
“Urine test on the suspect was positive for MDMA but he has no previous criminal record.
“The suspect will be remanded for six days until March 22 for further investigation,” he said during a press conference at the Penang police contingent headquarters on Monday (March 21).
Comm Mohd Shuhaily added that the police seized a motorcycle worth RM3,500 under the Dangerous Drugs Act (Forfeiture of Property) 1988.
“The total amount of drugs and items seized are worth RM113,885,” he said.
The case will be investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.
Meanwhile, Comm Mohd Shuhaily said the Penang NCID had recorded a total of 2,773 arrests between Jan 1 to March 19.
“We have also seized various drugs worth RM4.021mil.
“Besides, we managed to seize items worth RM4.098mil under the Dangerous Drugs Act (Forfeiture of Property) 1988.
“The total amount of drugs and items seized are worth RM8.119mil.
“During the period, the NCID had carried out 12 special filter operations and nest operations in the state and busted seven syndicates involved in drug distribution activities in Penang,” he said.