PASIR MAS, July 3 — The police busted a 'pil kuda' drug trafficking syndicate and seized drugs weighing over 35.4 kg, valued at RM5.04 million, through six raids in Pasir Mas and Tumpat on Friday (June 27).
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) Acting Director Datuk Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said that six local suspects, comprising five men and one woman, aged between 25 and 39, were arrested during the operation.
The successful raid was the result of a year-long intelligence gathering effort by Bukit Aman’s NCID, in cooperation with the Kelantan police contingent, aimed at combating the syndicate's activities, which are believed to have been active since 2022.
"Through the first raid, the NCID intercepted a Perodua Axia car on Jalan Gajah Mati, Banggol Chica, Pasir Mas, and arrested a 34-year-old male suspect. A search of the vehicle revealed 115 grams of 'pil kuda', while a follow-up search at his home in the same area also found 112 grams of 'pil kuda'.
"Subsequently, a search behind the suspect's house revealed a cattle shed with six cows. A search of the farm found 20 kg of 'pil kuda' hidden in a pile of cow dung," he said during a special press conference at the Pasir Mas district police headquarters today.
Mat Zani added that in simultaneous raids, they also arrested another male suspect along with his Toyota Hilux and seized 15.4 kg of 'pil kuda'.
"Further raids at several houses around Pasir Mas and Tumpat successfully apprehended three more suspects, including a woman who is the wife of the first suspect.
"We believe the profits from selling these 'pil kuda' were used to open other businesses such as a seafood restaurant in Tanah Merah, a salon, and online businesses. They laundered the illegal money by engaging in these businesses," he said.
The 'pil kuda' targeted school students and teenagers, believed to be for the market throughout Kelantan, Klang Valley, and Johor Bahru, which could meet the needs of 177,465 people.
"The syndicate's modus operandi was to use the cattle shed as a storage facility before distributing them to the local market," Mat Zani said.
Besides 'pil kuda', the police also seized jewellery, branded bags, and several luxury cars worth over RM1.1 million. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, and all suspects have been remanded for seven days until tomorrow to assist in the investigation.
"Initial urine screening tests found all suspects negative for drugs. However, a check of criminal records found that the second and fifth suspects had past records, including drug abuse.
"The Royal Malaysia Police will continue to curb drug abuse problems, especially in Kelantan as a border state, through continuous operations to detect several other drug syndicates that are on our radar," he said.
— Bernama
