A syndicate which distributed drugs in “flight boarding passes” landed in hot water after Malaysian police raided a flat in Selangor state’s Sungai Way.
The drugs were ground into fine powder and packed in packaging that looked like boarding passes or packets showing logos of superheroes.
The syndicate catered to individuals and entertainment outlets where the drugs were used to spike drinks.
It is learnt that each 105g packet has a street value of 150 ringgit (US$31) while in clubs, the price will be 250 ringgit (US$52).
Petaling Jaya Assistant Commissioner Shahrulnizam Jaafar Ismail said a team from the district police headquarters raided a luxury flat in Sungai Way and detained a 26-year-old man, believed to be the syndicate’s mastermind, at about 10.40pm on February 23.
“We discovered a box filled with packets of drugs, and seized 5kg of Ecstasy powder, 405.23g of Ecstasy pills, 73g of ketamine and 80g of Erimin 5 pills.
“We also seized various equipment used to process drugs, including five blenders and two weighing machines.
“The drugs seized were worth 406,309 ringgit (US$85,764),” Shahrulnizam told a press conference on Thursday.
Malaysian drug kingpin arrested in Laos with US$2.5 million in assets seized
Malaysian drug kingpin arrested in Laos with US$2.5 million in assets seized
Other items including 320 ringgit (US$67) cash and an iPad were also seized, he added.
“The drugs seized could have been supplied to 5,081 addicts,” he said.
Shahrulnizam said the syndicate had been operating for about two years, and catered to the Klang Valley market.
“The suspect tested positive for drugs and has also been remanded,” he added.
It is learnt that the drugs would be mixed with fruit flavouring powder before they were packed and distributed to clubs.
“Packing the drugs in such a way, especially in packets mimicking flight boarding passes, is definitely a new modus operandi.
“It’s the latest way used by the syndicate to evade detection,” Shahrulnizam said.
The police, he said, are tracking down another syndicate member and will also investigate the source of the supply of drugs.
Those with information on any crime including drug-related activities are urged to contact the nearest police station, he added.
This story was first published by The Star
