KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Police crippled an attempt by a drug syndicate to smuggle in 2.5 million Erimin-5 pills worth about RM50 million which were hidden in a furniture-laden container from Taiwan.
Bukit Aman (Federal Police) Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said acting on intelligence, the Special Tactical Intelligence Narcotics Group (STING) and the Royal Malaysian Customs raided the container in Port Klang, Selangor.
He said the teams found the methamphetamine pills in between several sofas and coffee tables. “This is the biggest drug haul so far this year.”
“The drug is believed to be meant for the local market as well as Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia,” he told a press conference at the federal police headquarters.
Mohd Mokhtar said following the discovery, police picked up 10 men, aged between 29 and 57, in several locations in the federal capital.
“Those detained are believed to be members of the drug syndicate. Police have also seized cash in local and various foreign currencies totaling RM900,000, five luxury vehicles and jewelry,” he said.
Mohd Mokhtar said the suspects were being remanded for seven days to facilitate investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Meanwhile, he said police had seized various types of drugs worth RM28.1 million from January until March 2.
A total of 34,147 individuals including 1,377 foreigners were detained for drug-related cases in the same period, Mohd Mokhtar added.