POLICE confiscated 25.2kg of heroin and 14kg of ecstasy powder valued at more than RM1 million in a special operation involving seven raids in Johor Baru and Iskandar Puteri two days ago.

Johor police chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said in the raids on Wednesday, which began at 1.45pm and ended at 11pm, police also detained 10 locals believed to be involved in the drug processing and trafficking syndicate.

According to him, the syndicate had used a two-storey terrace house in a gated-and-guarded residential area in Iskandar Puteri to store and process the illicit substance. 

“In the first raid at the two-storey terrace house, police detained a 30-year-old man and seized an unspecified amount of drugs and drug processing paraphernalia,” he said at a press conference in Johor Baru today.

“A background check revealed that the man has eight previous record involving drugs and crime.

“Following the raid, police carried out six other raids and detained seven men and two women, aged between 20 and 34. They all tested negative for drugs. However, five of them have previous records involving crime and drugs.”

Ayob said apart from the drugs, police also seized the precursor chemicals (substances used to produce synthetic drugs), a machine and paraphernalia for processing drugs.

He said police confiscated four cars valued at RM185,000 and three pieces of jewellery valued at RM9,000. The total amount of confiscated items was valued at RM194,000.

Ayob said 25.2kg of heroin valued at RM336,000 and 14kg of ecstasy powder valued at RM700,000 were also seized.

He said investigations revealed that the syndicate had been operating since last month and the drugs were for local and overseas markets.

“Based on our observation over the past two months, the syndicate was in the early stage of operations, and based on the tools confiscated, we believe that the laboratory is in its initial stages,” he said.

“The drugs confiscated are in powder form and in cubes. The cube-shaped drugs are normally for overseas market while those in powder form are for the local market.

“Investigations are ongoing, and the mastermind is still on the loose.”

Ayob said one of the suspects has been remanded for seven days beginning yesterday. The individual is investigated under section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death sentence or life imprisonment and whipping while the remaining nine will be investigated under the Dangerous Drugs Act (Special Preventive Measures) 1985. – Bernama, September 17, 2021.