GEORGE TOWN: Police have busted a drug trafficking syndicate with the arrest of five men, including a student at a private university here.
Penang Narcotics Crime Investigation Department chief Asst Comm Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah said police also seized heroin worth RM83,175.90 and marijuana in a series of raids on Friday (July 16) and Saturday (July 17).
“We stopped a lorry by the side of the road in Gelugor at about 6.30pm on Friday and arrested three men who were transferring ganja weighing about 24.6kg to a nearby apartment.
“Further checks inside the premises led police to the recovery of 1.9kg heroin and 6.8g ganja,” he told a press conference at the state police headquarters here on Monday (July 19).
“We then raided another apartment in the same area and seized RM7,000 in cash, believed to be proceeds from the sale of the drugs.
“We seized a car before apprehending the fourth and fifth suspects in George Town.
“All the men were aged between 22 and 46,” he added.
ACP Mustafa Kamal said police believe the syndicate has been trafficking ganja and heroin for the past five months.
“They stored the drugs in the rented apartments. All the drugs were sold in the local market.
“All five men tested positive for drugs and had previous criminal and drugs records.
“They have been remanded for seven days to assist in the probe under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” he said, adding that the drugs seized could have been used by about 180,000 addicts.
In an update on a separate case, ACP Mustafa Kamal said police seized 66 items of jewellery worth RM284,085.60, believed to be the proceeds from the sale of drugs, following the arrest of four individuals including a woman after a series of raids in Seberang Prai.
He said the jewellery had been kept in a locker in Seberang Prai for the past three years.
It was reported earlier that a police team smashed a drug trafficking ring after raiding three houses in Prai, Seberang Jaya and Simpang Ampat here on July 14.
A couple and two other men were arrested and drugs worth RM1.4mil were seized in the raids.
ACP Mustafa Kamal said the jewellery brings the total value of other items seized, including cash and vehicles, to RM1.5mil.
