KUALA LUMPUR: Police are searching for another eight individuals believed to be involved in Sabah's largest drug syndicate that has been active since 2015.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the eight individuals consisted of three locals, including one former police officer and five foreigners.
He said the police have also arrested 14 individuals involved in the syndicate, including its leader, who is reportedly a Datuk.
While 11 individuals were charged yesterday at the Kota Kinabalu Court Complex, Ayob added another three have been sent to the mental rehabilitation centre and will be charged in the same court.
"Following this, the police are searching for another eight suspects and we urge the public to contact the police should they have any information relating to the matter," he said in a special press conference in Bukit Aman, today.
Meanwhile, the three locals are identified as Haibil Kiraman, Sahairul Din Sabudin, Absar Musa; four Filipinos Hasan Syamsuddin, Joel Edwin, Muhammad Sing Harun Musa, Manan Ungok and one Indonesian Rohani Mhd Yunus.
At the same time, Ayob added that police have also frozen 42 bank accounts with RM1.86 million, with an additional eight accounts worth RM543,378.58.
Among the assets frozen worth RM2.81 million, include 10 vehicles estimated at RM0.95 million and 11 pieces of real estate.
The police have also seized 20 vehicles worth RM6.774 million, RM35,041 cash and RM100,000 worth of jewellery.
"The total amount of freezing and seizure of assets amounted to RM9.72 million," he said.
At the same time, Ayob added that the police will not tolerate those who are involved in the syndicate, including civil servants and police officers
"We will not compromise with any officer, police personnel, or civil servants involved in this syndicate and we will diligently seek evidence and make arrests accordingly."
Previously, it was reported that police had smashed Sabah's biggest drug ring with the arrest of a Datuk, who is also the patron of a non-governmental (NGO) organisation.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate which has been active since 2015 has an international and local distribution network.
Ayob reportedly said that the 'Datuk' was among the 10 syndicate members arrested in a special operation between the Bukit Aman Narcotics Department and the Eastern Sabah Security Command.
He said that since the arrest of the syndicate leader and its members on Dec 25 last year, the police had seized various assets, including 22 bank accounts with a frozen balance of RM420,000, 18 luxury vehicles valued at RM6.6 million, jewellery and watches worth approximately RM100,000 and cash amounting to RM35,000.