Party’s over for drug juicer

KUALA LUMPUR: A syndicate which supplies drug juices to entertainment outlets and private parties has been busted with the seizure of almost half a million ringgit worth of drugs.

Police said the liquid contained a mixture of various drugs. This has been identified as the latest modus operandi used by syndicates to avoid detection while supplying partygoers with doses of narcotics.

According to Bukit Aman Narcotic Crime Investigation Department (NCID) Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Kamarudin Md Din, the drug mixtures, which were filled into various drink bottles, are priced between RM180 and RM300.

He said five men and a woman aged between 19 and 40 were also detained following raids at two luxury condominiums in Cheras and Kajang on Tuesday and Wednesday. Investigations show that they are members of a syndicate and each of them is paid RM30,000 monthly.

“Among those arrested is a 39-year-old man who is the mastermind of the syndicate.

“We also seized 54,550ml of juices containing a mixture of drugs: 1.68kg of MDMA powder, 144g of ketamine, 16g of ganja, 5kg of ecstasy powder, 550 pieces of erimin 5 pills, and 2,900 ecstasy pills. The drugs are worth RM448,850,” he told a press conference at the Cheras police headquarters yesterday.

Comm Mohd Kamarudin said the initial investigation showed the syndicate used the condominium to process the drugs into juices before storing them.

“They used a mixture of at least five different drugs for the juices.

“They will then supply the juices to entertainment outlets and private parties in the Klang Valley,” he said.

Comm Mohd Kamarudin said it is not uncommon for those detained at clubs to test positive for several kinds of drugs nowadays.

“We believe the syndicate has been active since the middle of last year,” he said, adding that the suspects have been remanded until Jan 23.

“The drugs seized could have been supplied to 27,000 users.

“We also seized the syndicate assets worth RM489,408, including three luxury vehicles, cash and jewellery,” he said.

Comm Mohd Kamarudin said the police will continue to track down the other members of the syndicate.

“We urge those with information on any drug-related activity to contact the NCID hotline at 012-208 7222,” he said.