Police Cripple RM27.5m MDMA Syndicate in Op Thrips, Main Suspect Shot Dead in Seremban

SEREMBAN, Sept 7 — Police have crippled a high-value drug syndicate following the seizure of RM27.5 million worth of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and the fatal shooting of a 52-year-old main suspect during ‘Op Thrips’ in Seremban and Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) Director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan confirmed that the main suspect was shot dead after opening fire at the police raiding team at a rented terraced house in Seremban at approximately 1:30 pm. The house had been functioning as an illicit drug laboratory since early this year.

During the raid, officers seized 104.8 kilogrammes (kg) of drug powder, 64.49 kg of liquid MDMA, 7.9 kg of drug pills, 5.2 kg of drug lumps, and various laboratory processing equipment.

“We believe the suspect obtained the drugs with the assistance of other syndicate members by bringing in drug-processing precursors from abroad. The suspect who was shot dead also had the expertise to process these chemicals into MDMA or ecstasy,” Hussein said during a press conference at the Seremban district police headquarters today.

Investigations revealed that the main suspect had extensive experience in narcotics production, with drug-related involvement dating back to the 1990s. He possessed three previous arrest and imprisonment records under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, was wanted under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961, and held a criminal record under Section 448 of the Penal Code.

Hussein noted that the syndicate used low-density residential areas as cover to process and distribute drugs intended for local and overseas markets. The total quantity seized was estimated to be sufficient to supply over 400,000 users.

Follow-up operations conducted in Seremban 2 and Kuchai Lama, Kuala Lumpur led to the arrest of a 32-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man. Both tested positive for methamphetamine and THC respectively, held prior criminal records, and have been remanded for seven days until Sept 13. Police also seized three vehicles, with the case being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code and Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 while authorities track down remaining syndicate members believed to have fled abroad.

–NMT