Properties Belonging To A Drug Syndicate Worth RM22.4 Million Sealed

(Bernama) – KUALA LUMPUR: Properties and other assets worth RM22.4 million, belonging to three members of a drug syndicate including one with a title "Datuk", had been sealed under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) deputy director in charge of forfeiture of property, detention and legal affairs, SAC 1 Datuk Ismail Yatim, said the properties were sealed following the seizure of drugs weighing almost one ton and worth about RM254 million at KM150 Jalan Kuantan-Segamat, Rompin, Pahang, during the anti-drug operation dubbed "Ops Gazania" on May 2.

"Following investigation, the Forfeiture of Property Division had detected and sealed the properties and other assets belonging to the three members of the syndicate and 14 of their allies including four business entities believed to be involved in drug trafficking activities," he told a press conference, here Wednesday.

Among the properties and assets sealed were cash totaling RM65,995, a bank account worth of RM4.62 million, eight houses and shops worth RM7.89 million, 16 lots of land (RM9.4 million) and seven motor vehicles (RM445,000).

He said the value of the sealed properties was the highest in NCID's history since the enforcement of the act.

"Investigation revealed that the syndicate had made a fortune by venturing into various businesses including ornamental fish enterprises to cover their drug trafficking activities.

"The profit from the businesses was then used to buy the properties like the houses and the land or channeled into the companies for money laundering," he added.