NILAI: The RM676 million worth of cocaine and ketamine seized in two raids in Selangor on Sunday under Ops Soda, was meant for export to a third country.
Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) director-general Datuk Seri Paddy Abdul Halim said the drugs were brought into the country from Pakistan and Ecuador via Port Klang, before they were sent to two locations.
“We believe Malaysia is the transit point before the drugs are re-exported to other markets.
“We are still investigating. We believe this is the biggest drug bust in Asia to date,” he told reporters at the Customs Narcotics Branch Office, Kampung Jijan, here today.
Also present was Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigations Department director Datuk Khalil Kader Mohd.
According to Paddy, during the first raid conducted at a premises in Puncak Alam at 4.30pm, police found 11 white gunny sacks weighing 467kg labelled with ‘Light Soda Ash’ containing white powder believed to be ketamine.
He said during the raid, 13 men, including four locals, were caught unloading the sacks.
“Investigation conducted on the main suspect had led to another raid at a premises in Section U5, Shah Alam on the same day at 9.20pm.
“We found some packages containing about 3.2kg of cocaine,” he added.
He added all suspects aged between 27 and 56 are now being remanded until August 30, while the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
“Urine tests conducted on the suspects found three of them positive for drugs,” he said.
Paddy added the police are still investigating how and when the syndicate began its operations.
Meanwhile, Mohd Khalil said the cocaine was believed meant to be sold in a foreign country where the use of such drugs was still rare.
He said the last drug seizure operation was conducted last February when 19kg of drugs were seized.