Johor police arrest three suspects, including two Vietnamese women, in multi-location crackdown
A cross-border drug syndicate operating in Johor Bahru was dismantled last week after Malaysian police seized narcotics worth over RM3.5 million and arrested three individuals in five targeted raids.
Coordinated Raids Across the City
In a joint operation on July 10 and 11, 2025, Johor police arrested a 39-year-old local man and two Vietnamese women, aged 32 and 35, in separate raids across Johor Bahru. Acting on intelligence, the Johor Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department raided five locations, including a shophouse room and three luxury condominiums used to process and store narcotics.
Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar revealed the syndicate had been active since April, using gated residences as discreet drug labs. “These locations were carefully chosen to avoid suspicion while the drugs were processed, repackaged, and prepared for local distribution,” he stated.
RM3.5 Million in Narcotics
The operation resulted in the seizure of:
- 20.71 kg of ecstasy powder
- 18.49 kg of cannabis (marijuana)
- 154.25 g of ketamine
- 141 g of Erimin 5 pills
Police also confiscated repackaging tools and RM800 in cash. The total drug haul, valued at RM3.56 million, could have reached an estimated 88,788 users. All three suspects tested positive for methamphetamine use.
Cannabis Trends and Drug Markets
Datuk Kumar noted a recent shift in trafficking trends, highlighting increased demand for marijuana flowers due to their higher hallucinogenic potency and price—estimated at RM36,000 per kilogram. This reflects evolving consumption patterns and rising profit margins for traffickers.
The suspects were remanded until July 17 for further investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. The Vietnamese nationals are also being probed under Section 6(3) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 over their travel documentation.
Vigilance and Public Cooperation
Kumar urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity related to drug trafficking. He emphasized the crucial role of community support in curbing narcotics crime, citing the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department’s hotline: 012-2087222.
The Johor drug syndicate’s takedown highlights the regional threat posed by covert operations in urban areas. With Johor Bahru sitting near Singapore and within reach of Batam, Indonesian and Singaporean authorities must reinforce surveillance and intelligence-sharing to counter cross-border drug networks exploiting high-density urban environments.
Sources: The Star (2025) , Bernama (2025)
Keywords: Johor Police, RM3.5 Million Drugs, Drug Raids, Ecstasy Seizure, Methamphetamine, Dangerous Drugs Act
