KUALA LUMPUR: Police have busted a drug syndicate worth over RM21 million operating under the guise of a traditional medicine shop after two men, including a foreigner, were arrested in an operation in Taman Desa Petaling last Saturday.

Bukit Aman Drug Crime Investigation Department head Datuk Seri Khaw Kok Chin said a 48-year-old local man working as a courier was arrested and 209.65kg of Erimin 5 pills were found in a room on the first floor of the shop.

Police then arrested a 64-year-old Singaporean man, believed to be the leader of the syndicate, in a Mercedes-Benz outside a restaurant in Taman Desa Petaling. 5.55 kg of ecstasy pills were discovered.

“The syndicate, which has been active since the beginning of the year, used the shop as a storage location for drugs and distributed them on the domestic market, particularly in the Klang Valley.

“It is believed that the syndicate sourced the drugs from neighbouring countries and sold them for RM25 to RM50 per pill,” he said during a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Contingent Police headquarters today.

Khaw said the shop rent was RM3,500 per month and the business was believed to be owned by the syndicate leader’s child.

He pointed out that the leader of the syndicate was arrested last year on drug charges but was released due to insufficient evidence.

Both suspects have no previous convictions, their drug tests were negative and they are in custody for six days until August 16, he said.

Khaw added that the total value of the seized drugs and other assets is estimated at RM21.9 million.

“We will continue to search for other members of the syndicate who are still at large, as well as the assets of those involved and their accomplices,” he said.

The case is being investigated under section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.