POLICE in Johor Bahru have dismantled a drug distribution syndicate that was using a budget hotel as both a transit point and a makeshift laboratory, following the arrest of two men at a hotel in Danga Bay last Friday.
According to South Johor Bahru District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat, the suspects, aged 35 and 37, were apprehended at around 3 a.m. in their hotel room.
"Following the arrest of the two suspects in the hotel room, police seized 2.25 grams of methamphetamine, 100 grams of ketamine, and 80 grams of yaba pills," he said.
"Subsequently, we raided another room in the same hotel and discovered 7.7884 kilograms of ecstasy along with equipment used for drug processing."
In addition to the drugs, police also confiscated a Honda Civic valued at RM80,000. The total value of the drugs seized is estimated at RM1.08 million.
Raub stated that initial investigations revealed the suspects frequently moved between budget hotels in order to evade law enforcement.
He added that the syndicate, which has been operating for the past two months, purchased drugs in bulk, repackaged them, and sold each packet for RM250.
"The total amount of drugs seized could supply up to 80,184 users," he said.
Checks also revealed that both suspects have prior criminal and drug-related records, and urine tests confirmed the presence of methamphetamine in their system.
The two men have been remanded until tomorrow to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. - January 21, 2026
