Nigerian student among 9 detained in major drug bust

KUALA LUMPUR: The Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department busted a drug trafficking syndicate, masterminded by a Nigerian man, after conducting three raids in the Klang Valley last Monday.
Its deputy director, Datuk Kang Chez Chiang said the 36-year-old business studies student of a private college here was detained at his house in Seri Kembangan, Selangor by the Bukit Aman's Special Tactical Intelligence Narcotics Group (Sting), following a tip-off from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of the United States.
"In the raid (in Seri Kembangan), police found about 24.5kg of what is believed to be ganja in two bags with the estimated value of RM100,000," he told a press conference here today.
Subsequently, Kang said police picked up seven other Nigerian men and a Ugandan woman, aged between 25 and 42, in Petaling Jaya and Sungai Besi near here.
"Initial investigation revealed that the syndicate had been active over the past six months and had obtained the supply from a neighbouring country," he said, adding that all the suspects were tested negative for drugs.
Kang also said the suspects were being remanded for seven days until Monday to facilitate investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Meanwhile, he said the department had detained 113,039 people for various drug-related offences from January until August 17, with a total seizure of over RM123 million.
Out of the number, 137 were Nigerians including 38 students, Kang said.
In another development, he said the police would send its officers to Thailand to investigate the case involving two Malaysian men, aged 35 and 49, who were arrested in Sadao, Songkla last Tuesday for allegedly attempting to smuggle out 200kg of syabu.
"The Malaysian police will wait for the Thai authorities to finish their investigation first … We will cooperate with them in the investigation," Kang added. — Bernama