Johor Police Seize RM3.04m Methamphetamine in Hotel Raid, Eight Nabbed Including Teenager

JOHOR BAHRU, July 22 — Johor police have crippled an active drug trafficking syndicate following the arrest of eight suspects—including a 16-year-old school dropout—and the seizure of 60.78 kilogrammes of methamphetamine valued at RM3.04 million during a targeted operation in the state capital.

Johor Police Chief CP Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad disclosed that the suspects, aged between 16 and 78, comprise seven local men and one foreign national. The syndicate was neutralized during a raid conducted by the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division of the Johor Bahru Selatan District Police Headquarters at approximately 9:00 PM on July 18.

Executing the initial phase of the operation, police officers raided a parking area in front of a hotel, apprehending four local men alongside the foreign national. A subsequent inspection of a Perodua Bezza parked at the scene uncovered 50 plastic packets containing methamphetamine.

Detailing the group’s internal structure during a press conference at the Johor Contingent Police Headquarters today, Ab Rahaman revealed that the suspects fulfilled distinct operational roles within the network.

“Among the four suspects arrested were those acting as runners, transporters, and right-hand men managing the syndicate’s operations. The teenager, who acted as a transporter, was identified as neglected by his family and dropped out of school since last January,” Ab Rahaman stated.

A follow-up search conducted inside the hotel premises led to the arrest of three additional local men, including the syndicate leader in his 50s, though no further illicit substances were recovered from them.

Investigators established that the syndicate had been operating since May, utilizing motor vehicles as mobile storage units to stash and transport illegal narcotics destined for local market distribution.

Subsequent urine screening tests confirmed that three of the suspects tested positive for methamphetamine, while background checks revealed that four members of the group possess prior criminal records.

All eight suspects have been remanded for seven days starting July 19. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment upon conviction.

-NMT