SHAH ALAM: Four drug dealers along with a buyer, in the midst of a transaction, were arrested by the Selangor Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID).
The bust also spelt the end of the one-year-old syndicate.
The five, of whom three were women, were arrested last Thursday (April 4) at about 2pm in Bandar Baru Bangi.
The team that arrested them had been hot on the heels of the drug syndicate for about three weeks.
On the day of the operation, the five had no idea that their movements were closely monitored by the Selangor NCID’s Intelligence Operations and Detention Division.
Selangor police chief Datuk Noor Azam Jamaludin said the five, aged between 34 and 44, comprised of a welder, tailor, mechanic, a salesperson and an unemployed, were nabbed while they were in a car, near a restaurant in Bandar Baru Bangi.
“Our investigations showed that the syndicate was active not only in Selangor but also in Melaka, Kuala Lumpur and Johor. Their modus operandi was to use public places such as shoplots to carry out their drug transactions.
“We also seized drugs believed to be syabu weighing 5.075 kilogrammes which was supplied from Johor.
“It has an estimated value of RM355,250 and we believe it was meant for the Klang Valley market. It can be supplied to about 10,150 drug users for a day, based on the calculation that one would take 0.5 grams in a day,” said Noor Azam.
He said his men were probing if there were any more of the syndicate members still at large.
Noor Azam was speaking at a press conference at the Selangor police contingent headquarters.
Also present was Selangor NCID deputy chief Superintendent Sundralingam Rajassundram.
Noor Azam said the raid saw a total seizure worth RM770,400. Items seized were three cars - a Nissan Teana, Perodua Kembara and a Honda City worth RM103,000; RM7,400 in cash, jewellery worth RM10,000 as well as bank accounts with RM650,000 in deposits.
Noor Azam said two of the suspects tested positive for drugs while one has a previous drug and theft record.
He said the suspects have been remanded for six days until Wednesday (April 10) under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
They were being investigated under Section 39(B) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for trafficking in dangerous drugs which carries a death penalty, life imprisonment; or not more than 15 strokes of the rotan if found guilty.
Noor Azam added that the Selangor NCID had busted four drug syndicates thus far this year. From Jan to March, substances worth than RM1.7 milllion were confiscated.
He said apart from the Dangerous Drugs Act, the Special Preventive Measures Act 1985 was also utilised on 61 persons from Jan to April 8 this year.
The law allows a minister to issue a detention or restraining order against a person for not more than two years, or extended if needed, to maintain public order.