KANGAR: Police have busted a major drug trafficking syndicate with the seizure of 1.8 tonne of syabu worth RM64.8 million following the arrest of five suspects, including a nightclub singer on Sunday.
State police chief Datuk Surina Saad said one of the suspects had even offered the raiding team RM200,000 as an inducement to release them.
She said the 4am arrest was made during a joint operation to prevent smuggling in Jalan Sungai Baru Simpang Empat here.
"The team flagged down a suspicious tow truck transporting a one-tonne lorry and upon inspecting the lorry that was being towed, they discovered 72 sacks, each containing 25 packages suspected of syabu.
"The total syabu weighed about 1.8 tonnes with an estimated value of RM64.8 million," she told a press conference at the state police headquarters here today.
She said in a follow up operation, police hauled four more suspects including a woman, aged between 29 and 49 at several locations in Penang.
Surina added that one of the suspects had even offered RM200,000 to the raiding team to release them.
She said initial investigation revealed that the syabu supply was obtained from Thailand and suspected meant for distribution in Kedah, Perak, Penang, the Klang Valley and up to Johor.
"All the suspects are from Penang who work as installation agents for a satellite television company, cooks and night club singers.
"They are suspected to act as 'transporters' for the syndicate," she said, adding that the syabu seized could supply nine million addicts.
Two of the suspects were tested positive for methamphetamine and one of them had a previous drug-related record.
Police also confiscated three vehicles that used fake registration plates, 31 pieces of jewellery, a luxury bag, cash amounting to RM7,000 and also money in their accounts amounting to RM19,078.65.
The suspects are held under remand until Feb 25 for further investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.