Police bust RM34.3 million synthetic drug syndicate

POLICE have uncovered one of the country's largest seizures of synthetic opioid cartridges after confiscating more than RM34.31 million worth of suspected Furanylfentanyl in a three-day operation that led to the arrest of three suspects, including a Thai national.

Perlis Police Chief Datuk Muhammad Abdul Halim said the suspects, aged between 38 and 68, were detained during three separate raids conducted across the state between 1 and 3 July.

The operation began with the arrest of a 38-year-old Thai woman at Kampung Panggas, where police searched a storage facility and discovered 172 boxes containing 75,540 cartridges filled with suspected Furanylfentanyl.

The seizure amounted to 188.85 litres of the synthetic drug, with an estimated street value of RM28.33 million.

The first arrest subsequently led investigators to a second operation on 2 July at Kampung Guar Musang in Bukit Keteri, where police detained a 68-year-old Malaysian man.

During the raid, officers seized a further 35 boxes containing 21,000 cartridges of the same suspected drug, valued at approximately RM5.9 million.

A third suspect, a 55-year-old Malaysian man, was arrested the following day during a follow-up operation in Ulu Pauh, Arau. Police believe he was also involved in the same trafficking network.

"Follow-up arrests were carried out on 3 July around Ulu Pauh in Arau, resulting in the detention of a 55-year-old local man believed to be involved in the same syndicate.

"Investigations found that the syndicate’s modus operandi involved using storage facilities and residential homes as transit points before the drugs were transported to neighbouring countries.

"The total seizure amounted to 228.75 litres and was estimated to be capable of harming 457,500 users," he said.

Muhammad said preliminary urine screening found only the third suspect tested positive for drugs, specifically Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Police checks also revealed that the second and third suspects have previous records involving offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and the Poisons Act 1952.

The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment, together with whipping, upon conviction. - July 7, 2026