GEORGE TOWN: Police smashed two drug trafficking syndicates following the arrest of a married couple and two men in separate raids in the Northeast district here last week.
Police also seized an assortment of drugs worth RM528,415.
Acting state police chief Datuk Mohamed Usof Jan Mohamad said in the first case on Thursday, police detained a man at a parking lot of a supermarket in Tanjung Tokong here and seized five packets of what appeared to be crystal chunks weighing 5,170g worth RM170,610.
He said, following interrogation, police raided a house in Gelugor and detained the man's wife, before seizing another four packets of what appeared to be crystal chunks weighing 4,150g worth RM136,620.
"We then raided another house in Gelugor and detained another man, a member of the drug trafficking syndicate masterminded by the couple. No drugs were found on him.
"The three, aged between 36 and 41, are believed to have carried out the drug trafficking activities for the local market since February.
"The syabu seized, if found their way into the market, could have been used by some 45,000 addicts," he told newsmen at the state police headquarters.
Usuf said, following the arrest of the trio, police also seized cash, a Toyota Avanza, a BMW motorcycle and an assortment of jeweleries worth RM99,602.
"The first man detained is a businessman, running a pub in the state while two others were unemployed.
"They have been remanded until March 21 to assist in investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952 (for trafficking)," he added.
In the second case, Usuf said police detained a 50-year-old man at an apartment in Batu Lanchang here on Friday and seized 26g of ketamine from him before raiding another house, in the same vicinity.
During the raid in the second house, he said, police seized 110g of ketamine, 29 ecstasy pills, 63g of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 30 Eramin-5 pills, all of which are believed to have been mixed into packet drinks of a famous brand.
"Based on information from the man, police then raided another house in Jalan Datuk Keramat here and seized 138 packs of instant pre-mix drink containing MDMA weighing 2,663.6g.
"The supply is believed to be for the entertainment joints in the state. The suspect is believed to have been active since October last year," he said, adding that the drugs could be used by some 9,000 addicts.
The man's urine test came back positive for drugs.
The man, who has a criminal record, has been remanded until March 22 to assist investigations.
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