JOHOR BARU – A civil servant and statutory body executive officer are among 10 people arrested in recent raids in the state for allegedly being involved in a drug-smuggling syndicate.
Johor police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the nine men and one woman – all locals and aged between 26 to 48 years old – were nabbed in seven raids in the Johor Baru Utara and Kulai districts.
Police seized 174 packets of marijuana weighing 175.65kg worth RM441,163.
Ayob Khan said the suspects’ modus operandi is to hide the drugs in a special compartment in a modified refrigerated lorry.
“The marijuana is believed to have been sourced from a neighbouring country through the border near Kota Baru, Kelantan, and then transferred to Johor Baru for the local market.
“The syndicate has been operating since December 2019.”
Also confiscated are two lorries, six cars, two motorcycles, RM45,550 cash, RM16,076 jewellery, and a bank account containing RM6,972.
Ayob Khan said urine tests found that five suspects are positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine, while three are positive for marijuana.
Seven of the suspects have previous records related to drugs, he added.
He said all 10 individuals have been remanded for 14 days from August 9 for investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. – Bernama, August 16, 2021
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