PENANG police scored big in the fight against narcotics with the seizure of methamphetamine weighing 252.2kg and worth RM4.73 million with the cooperation of their Thai counterparts.
In the process, police from both neighbouring countries believe they have crippled the activities of a cross-border narcotics syndicate, which uses Penang as a transit point to distribute the illegal substances.
Penang police chief Datuk Dennis Lim told a press briefing earlier that the seizure resulted from intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement between the Royal Thai Police's Narcotics Suppression Bureau and the Royal Malaysian Police Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department.
He said the Malaysian haul comprised 86.2kg of methamphetamine worth RM4.31 million, while another 166kg was seized by Thai authorities.
"The operation demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence sharing and close cooperation between the two countries in tackling cross-border drug trafficking," he said.
Dubbed Op Zoraptera, the operation was launched after Thai authorities arrested a Malaysian man during a roadblock in Hua Hin town on August 8.
Thai police found 166kg of methamphetamine in his vehicle and shared intelligence gathered during their investigation with Malaysian narcotics officers.
The intelligence led Malaysian police to conduct follow-up investigations.
This led the police to keep surveillance on members of the syndicate, which used modified vehicles to transport and conceal drugs across border crossings.
Three raids in Selangor and Penang between August 13 and 14 led to the arrest of four suspects — three men and a Thai woman — aged between 19 and 25.
In Penang, police seized 83 packets containing 86.2kg of methamphetamine from a vehicle in a parking area in Butterworth.
"The syndicate modified the vehicle by creating a concealed compartment specifically to store and transport the drugs," Lim said.
Investigations found the syndicate had been active since June last year and was involved in cross-border drug trafficking, with Malaysia being used as a transit point for drugs destined for the local market and potentially overseas distribution.
The couriers were paid RM6,000 each for every shipment, with two or three people typically involved in each trip.
"They had made several trips before and were not first-time couriers," he added.
The mastermind is believed to be in Thailand.
Three of the suspects, including the married couple, were charged at the Butterworth magistrates' court earlier under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The fourth suspect, the 19-year-old, was made a prosecution witness.
One suspect also tested positive for ketamine in an initial urine screening, while all four had no previous criminal records.
Lim said police also seized five vehicles worth RM420,700 under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988 in a move to cripple the financial network, logistics and assets.
"The total value of the drugs seized in Malaysia and assets seized during the operation was estimated at RM4.73 million," he said.
"The close cooperation will continue to be strengthened to curb cross - border drug trafficking and other criminal activities," he said.
The methamphetamine seized across both countries could have supplied an estimated 430,000 users.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping of not less than 12 strokes upon conviction. - September 1, 2026.
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