In a significant drug enforcement operation on December 21, Johor police arrested two men and seized drugs worth over RM210,000 following a raid on a terrace house in Johor Bahru. The suspects had been operating an innovative drug packaging scheme, concealing ecstasy powder in envelopes designed to look like foreign currency.
Johor Bahru South District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat, revealed that the operation began with the arrest of a 33-year-old suspect at a petrol station near Taman Pelangi. Police officers noticed suspicious behavior as the man was inflating his car's tires, leading to a search that uncovered illegal substances in his possession and vehicle.
Following this initial arrest, authorities conducted a raid on a rented terrace house, where they apprehended a second suspect, aged 40. The residence had been used as a base of operations for packaging and storing drugs intended for local distribution.
The seized contraband included 1,246.50 grams of suspected ecstasy powder, 25.1 grams of suspected Erimin 5 pills, and 3.8 grams of suspected ketamine. The total value of the drugs was estimated at RM210,721.60. Additional items seized included RM120 in cash, a vehicle, and house keys, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM235,841.60.
Investigations revealed that both suspects tested positive for methamphetamine and ketamine use, and background checks showed previous criminal and drug-related offenses. According to police intelligence, the syndicate had been active since October and had recently adopted the foreign currency envelope disguise as their signature packaging method. The drugs were reportedly being sold in nightclubs for between RM150 to RM200 per packet.
"Our investigation is ongoing as we work to identify the syndicate's mastermind and locate other members of the operation," Assistant Commissioner Raub stated during a press conference at the Johor Bahru South Police Headquarters.
The suspects are currently under a seven-day remand order until December 28, as investigations continue under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Source: Berita Harian
