JOHOR BARU, March 17 — Police here believe they have crippled a drug syndicate specialising in synthetic narcotics through the arrest of two men and seizures worth more than RM1 million in several raids here this week.

Johor police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the arrests and drug seizures were from four separate raids conducted in Johor Jaya, Bandar Dato’ Onn and Taman Setia Indah on Tuesday.

He said the two local men arrested were aged 32 and 38.

“Investigators found 21.27kg of syabu (crystal methamphetamine) in 21 packets that had a street value of RM771,362; 727g of ecstasy powder in 71 packets worth RM36,350; and 554g of ketamine worth RM35,600.

“In addition, investigators also found 110 ecstasy pills weighing 40.30g worth RM2,015, 48 Eramin 5 psychotropic pills worth RM1,050 and 56.30g of magic mushroom drugs worth RM2,815,” Kamarul Zaman told reporters at the Johor police contingent headquarters here today.

Kamarul Zaman said police also impounded two cars, a motorcycle, a luxury watch, RM1,350 and S$114 (RM380) in cash.

“The seizures of drugs amounted to RM849,192 and related items were valued at RM160,430. The total value is about RM1 million,” he said.

Kamarul Zaman said initial investigations revealed that the syndicate aimed to distribute various drugs to the local market.

“We suspect that the illicit drugs were to be distributed to users in entertainment outlets based on the smaller packets that were seized.

“The drugs were believed to be smuggled in from a country in the notorious Golden Triangle area and is estimated to feed the habits of 111,888 addicts,” he explained.

Checks revealed that both men had no previous criminal records but one tested positive for ketamine.

The suspects will be remanded until Tuesday to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.