A BUSINESSMAN with the title “Datuk” and his wife were among nine people arrested by the police in raids conducted in Johor and Selangor on April 7 and 8 for alleged involvement in an international drug trafficking syndicate.

Bukit Aman Narcotic Criminal Investigation Department deputy director (Intelligence and Operation) Zainudin Ahmad said police also seized 12.24kg syabu, 6.61kg ecstasy pills and 420gm ketamine as well as three luxury vehicles and jewellery, all worth RM1.39 million.

The syndicate, believed active since last September, was believed to smuggle the contraband through the waters off Johor, including from Batu Pahat, to Indonesia, he told a media conference at the Batu Pahat police station today.

He said of the nine suspects arrested, one of them tested positive for drugs and five had previous records for criminal and drug-related offences, including the businessman, aged 59, who was jailed five years for a drug offence.

All the suspects, aged between 22 and 59, are in remand for seven days for investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

Zainudin said the syndicate was believed to be linked to a drug bust by Taiwanese authorities last month.

“Three Malaysians and four Indonesians were arrested in Taiwanese waters and involved a seizure of 281kg of ketamine with an estimated value of RM15 million,” he added.

He said police were tracking down the remaining members of the syndicate. – Bernama, April 11, 2021.