KUALA LUMPUR: In the unfolding saga of Sabah's largest syabu syndicate, including its principal mastermind bearing the honorific 'Datuk,' legal proceedings are on the horizon.
Federal Police's Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director, Datuk Seri Mohd Kamarudin Md Din, confirmed the completion of the investigation into the syndicate.
He disclosed that he had received instructions from the Attorney-General's Chambers to bring charges against the suspect.
Without divulging the exact count, he assured the suspect and others would soon face the legal consequences of their alleged involvement.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, told reporters on Dec 26 that the federal police had dismantled one of the largest syabu-type drug trafficking cartels in Sabah, suspected to have been operating since 2015.
In the 2.45am raid on Dec 25 around Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, and Semporna, the police arrested 10 men, including the 40-year-old mastermind of the drug trafficking syndicate, who is also the patron of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) with the title of Datuk.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate obtained drug supplies from neighbouring countries since 2015 and smuggled the prohibited substance into Sabah for the local markets. They were also smuggled into Indonesia and the Philippines.
Recently, police arrested a 43-year-old law enforcement agency officer believed to be linked to the syndicate.
The suspect, who was on duty in the Klang Valley, was arrested on Dec 29. This brings the total number of arrests in connection with the syndicate to 11.
Mohd Kamarudin said the police are still tracing other assets related to the case to complete the investigation further.
Previously, the police reportedly froze 22 bank accounts involving a value of RM420,000 and confiscated 18 vehicles worth RM6.6 million, mostly luxury vehicles, along with cash amounting to RM35,000 and jewellery and luxury watches estimated at RM100,000.