International Drug Syndicate Busted in Malaysia: Four Foreigners Arrested, RM9.35 Million Worth of Cannabis Seized

SHAH ALAM:  Malaysian police have dismantled an international drug trafficking syndicate following the arrest of four foreign nationals and the seizure of cannabis buds worth approximately RM9.35 million in a series of coordinated raids in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the first arrest took place on March 3 at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), where authorities detained a foreign man carrying a suitcase filled with cannabis.

“Police discovered 49 plastic packets of cannabis buds weighing about 27.2 kilograms inside the luggage. The drugs were believed to be intended for the international market,” he said during a press conference at the Selangor police contingent headquarters on Wednesday.

Following the initial arrest, investigators tracked down another suspect believed to be the mastermind behind the syndicate. The man was arrested at a house in Kota Warisan, Sepang.

Further inspection at the location led police to seize an additional 25 plastic packets of cannabis buds weighing an estimated 14.3 kilograms.

The operation continued on March 5, when police conducted another raid at a condominium in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. During the raid, authorities arrested a foreign man and a woman believed to be linked to the same syndicate.

“Police discovered 136 plastic packets of cannabis buds weighing about 74.8 kilograms stored inside five suitcases at the condominium,” said Shazeli.

Altogether, the raids resulted in the seizure of more than 116 kilograms of cannabis buds with an estimated street value of RM9.35 million.

Police revealed that all four suspects, aged between 20 and 30, were single and believed to have entered Malaysia between late December last year and mid-February this year using social visit passes.

Initial urine screening tests found that two of the suspects tested positive for drug use.

Authorities also seized several assets believed to be linked to the syndicate’s operations, including two cars, luxury watches and cryptocurrency.

The case is currently being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.

Police said investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the syndicate and determine the full scope of the international drug network operating in the country.