KUALA LUMPUR: Police crippled an international drug processing and distribution syndicate involved in the supply of the substances for the Hong Kong market when they raided a condominium here last week.
Acting on the sharing of information and intelligence gathering with the Hong Kong Narcotics Bureau, the raiding party seized 74.03kg of chemical powder, 7.41kg of heroin base as well as various equipment for repackaging drugs with an estimated worth of RM7.89 million last week during the operation on Jan 5.
Federal Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Mohd Kamarudin Md Din said three people including a man from Hong Kong and a woman from Mongolia, aged between 25 and 48, were also arrested during the raid.
"Simultaneously, based on shared information, the Hong Kong Narcotics Bureau arrested a man and a woman in Hong Kong, both aged 26, believed to be involved in drug distribution activities there.
"The Hong Kong Narcotics Bureau also found and seized 3.5kg of heroin base when they arrested the suspects there," he said.
The case, said Kamaruddin, is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, and the suspects have been remanded for seven days until Friday (Jan 12) to facilitate investigation into the case.
"Preliminary investigation showed that the female suspect, who was arrested in Kuala Lumpur, tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.
"Checks showed the local male suspect also had a prior criminal record under the Open Gambling House Act 1953."
Kamaruddin said initial investigation showed the syndicate has resorted to operating at residential premises to repackage drugs into a custom-made sculpture before the substances were shipped abroad using courier services.
He added the NCID will continue its investigation to track down the remaining members of the syndicate.
"The public with information on drug distribution activities in their vicinity can contact the NCID hotline at 012-208 7222 to help the police to eradicate such activities in the country," he said.