Decade-old Sibu syndicate crippled; 2 nabbed, RM8.5mil in drugs, assets seized

KUCHING: Police have seized drugs, cash, and assets worth RM8.5 million following the arrest of two key figures behind a drug syndicate that had been operating in Sibu for the past decade.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata said the suspects, a 52-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, were detained in the course of three raids in the town on Thursday and Friday.
"The arrests and seizures were made by a team from the Sibu police headquarters Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) at a shoplot along Jalan Pedada and two terraced houses in Lorong Permai Jaya.
"The suspects are believed to have been actively involved in drug distribution in Sibu since 2015. Intelligence and investigations confirmed they were the masterminds behind the syndicate," he said.
He added that the suspects had been sourcing drugs from Peninsular Malaysia via courier services before distributing them in the Sibu market.
Urine tests found both suspects negative for drug use, and neither had any previous criminal records, he said.
"The raids led to the discovery of 7.08kg of syabu, 2.07kg of ketamine, and 2.02kg of Eramin 5 pills, worth a combined RM532,934. The drugs were enough to supply nearly 50,000 addicts.
"Police also confiscated RM5.1 million in cash, four gold bars, two gold chains, three Rolex watches, a Lexus RX350F Sport, a Lexus ES250, and a Toyota Vios. Bank cards, house keys and drug-packing tools were also seized for further investigation," he said.
Mancha said the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for drug trafficking, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment.
If not sentenced to death, a mandatory whipping of no fewer than 12 strokes will be imposed upon conviction.
The suspects have been remanded for seven days from June 13 to facilitate investigations.
"Efforts are underway to track down the remaining members of the syndicate to ensure the entire operation is dismantled," he said.
The public are urged to report drug-related activities by contacting the NCID hotline at 012-2087222.

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