Malaysia

Cops seize over RM1.1 billion in drugs last year as ‘24-hour’ syndicate uncovered

Sustained drug operations in Kuala Lumpur leads to the seizure of drugs worth more than RM1.1 billion in 2025, with police also dismantling a mobile syndicate likened to a round-the-clock convenience store supplying narcotics

Updated 9 months ago · Published on 12 Jan 2026 1:33PM

Cops seize over RM1.1 billion in drugs last year as ‘24-hour’ syndicate uncovered
City police chief attributes the results to aggressive and sustained operations led by the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department - January 12, 2026

POLICE seized drugs worth more than RM1.1 billion in Kuala Lumpur last year following intensified enforcement efforts aimed at dismantling trafficking networks and curbing drug abuse in the capital.

City police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said Kuala Lumpur police recorded seizures totalling 1.08 million kilogrammes of narcotics throughout 2025, alongside the arrest of 20,540 suspects.

He attributed the results to aggressive and sustained operations led by the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department.

The latest success involved the arrest of a 29-year-old local man believed to be operating a drug distribution network described by police as functioning like a “24-hour convenience store”, ensuring constant supply to buyers. Narcotics and assets worth nearly RM1 million were seized in the operation.

The Kuala Lumpur NCID carried out three coordinated raids across the city on Jan 7, resulting in the suspect’s arrest and the search of two vehicles and two premises.

Fadil said the syndicate used a terrace house and a condominium unit as processing and storage centres to avoid detection. The suspect was detained at a condominium parking area along Jalan Kuching at 12.55pm on the same day.

“Our intelligence revealed the suspect played a key distribution role, functioning like a 24-hour mobile convenience store to ensure drugs were always available to buyers,” he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters.

Investigators believe the suspect stored drugs at the two raided premises and used the two seized vehicles to manage distribution across the city.

Fadil said the seizures included 867.25kg of liquid MDMA valued at RM701,850, 5.48kg of MDMA powder worth RM37,800, 190 vape cartridges containing ketamine valued at RM57,000, and 306 ganja-laced cigarettes worth RM30,600.

“We also seized RM4,200 worth of ketamine, RM500 worth of ecstasy, and RM400 worth of Erimin 5 pills. The total value of the drugs is estimated at RM832,350,” he said, adding that the haul could have supplied 3,768 users.

The suspect has been remanded until Jan 14 to assist with investigations.

“Police are conducting further checks to determine the source of the supply. Investigations revealed the suspect laced soft drinks with drugs and added glucose for sweetness,” Fadil said. He added that each bottle of the drug-laced beverage was sold for between RM100 and RM300.

The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment and a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane upon conviction.

In addition to the drugs, police confiscated assets worth RM146,507 under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, including two vehicles, jewellery, watches and cash, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM978,857.

Fadil urged members of the public to assist the police by reporting drug-related activities through the NCID hotline at 012-208 7222.

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