Trio from big drug ring held

PENANG: Police have arrested three men believed to be among the main members a big drug syndicate operating in the northern and central regions of Malaysia.

State Narcotics Department chief Supt S. Batumalai said the men, aged between 32 and 37, were arrested in two places, and 3.2kg of heroin No. 3 with a street value of nearly RM300,000 was seized from them.

"We believe the syndicate has been in operation in the region for the past six to seven months and was supplying heroin to Kedah, Penang and Perak and even the Klang Valley," he told reporters in his office yesterday.

He said information obtained from the three suspects might help police to close on the syndicate's mastermind, who is believed to be hiding in a neighbouring state.

Batumalai said the first suspect is a 32-year-old security guard arrested at about 8.30pm on April 27 while waiting for a buyer at the Queensbay Mall car park in Bayan Baru.

"We found 900gm of heroin No. 3 with RM80,000 in his possession," he said. "He has been charged under Section 39(B) of the 1952 Dangerous Drug Act.

"The other two, aged 35 and 37, were arrested at a hotel in Prai last Thursday in a raid jointly conducted by the state and Bukit Aman narcotics division.

"The success was due to a tip-off and both suspects were arrested during the raid at 6.15pm in a hotel room as they were waiting for their prospective buyers."

Police seized 2.3kg of heroin No. 3 worth RM200,000 from the duo. They also seized a motorcycle belonging to one of the suspects.

Batumalai said the syndicate is believed to be supplying heroin to hardcore addicts who used the syringe and sometimes the "smoke-chasing" technique - sniffing the vapour of heated heroin.

He said the suspects are under remand and are expected to be charged soon. - By Mohd Tajudin

Source: The Sun newspaper