JOHOR BARU: Nicknamed “Handsome”, he has run foul of the law since 2002 and has been arrested six times for drug-related offences.
the 44-year-old was arrested again together with his wife, a key member known as “Professor”, and three others.
Police believe the suspect is the brains behind a mini drug packaging lab here.
“We suspect they are responsible for packaging syabu before supplying it to pushers in Johor Baru, Seri Alam and Kota Tinggi.
“He has been using his other business selling light decorations as a front, ” Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay told a press conference yesterday.
Comm Ayob said investigations showed that the syndicate had been active for the past eight years.
He said all the suspects had criminal records and were drug users themselves.
The six suspects were from one of two syndicates busted by police in a series of 15 raids carried out between June 2 and June 9 around here, Seri Alam, Kota Tinggi and Pontian.
Comm Ayob said 12 suspects from the second syndicate, including its 43-year-old Singaporean ring leader, were arrested during sting operations.
“The ring leader is nicknamed ‘Ah Poh’ and has been supplying a kilogram of syabu every two days to drug pushers in Johor Baru, Pontian and Plentong.
“Among those rounded up were six women aged between 25 and 50, ” he said.
Comm Ayob said police seized various drugs worth more than RM49,000, a fake gun with 29 live bullets, jewellery worth RM8,000,15 cars worth RM834,000 and RM71,045 in cash from the two syndicates.
He said 18 bank accounts with a total of RM117,354 belonging to eight individuals, believed to be proceeds from drug activities, were also frozen.
“In total, we seized drugs and other items worth RM1.08mil from both syndicates, ” he said.
The 18 suspects have been remanded to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drug Act, Section 15(1)(a) of the same Act and Section 8 of the Firearms Act.
Gang in hand: Comm Ayob Khan (right) showing the suspects’ pictures during a press conference held at the state police headquarters here in Johor Bahru.
Source : TheStar