GEORGE TOWN – Bukit Aman said it has managed to bust the “largest” cannabis distribution syndicate in Penang this year, following the recent seizure of 840kg of cannabis worth RM2.12 million.
Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the two-day special operation last Friday and Saturday was carried out in residential areas around Sg Bakap and Simpang Ampat, Seberang Perai Selatan.
He said the two raids saw the arrests of six local men, and two Thai men aged 35 and 59.
Ayob said they were arrested while attempting to transport the drugs.
“The seven men nabbed in Sg Bakap were arrested while loading cannabis into a lorry, while another man was arrested at his house in Simpang Ampat,” Ayob said during a press conference at the Penang Police Contingent Headquarters, here, this afternoon.
“These people are believed to be active in cannabis smuggling and distribution syndicates from Thailand since the end of 2021.”
Ayob said the investigation found that the cannabis was brought in from southern Thailand by boat and trucks, for distribution to the local market.
He said the drugs seized could supply a total of 1.68 million drug users.
The senior official said all suspects were remanded for seven days to assist in the investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Five suspects, he said, had previous records related to drug offences and crimes, and four others were positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), while one was positive for morphine.
Ayob said Police also seized three vehicles including a lorry worth RM80,000.
He added that cannabis-related activities were expected to intensify in Malaysia’s northern region, following the Thai government’s decision to allow the cultivation of cannabis earlier this month.
“In Thailand, it is (now) ‘halal’, so there will probably be much more attempts to smuggle (cannabis) here,” he said.
On June 9, Thailand became the first Asian country to remove marijuana from its narcotics list, allowing its citizens to grow the plant at home. – The Vibes, June 13, 2022
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