KOTA BARU: Bukit Aman has crippled a drug syndicate active since July after seizing 204kg of syabu worth RM6.5 million following a raid at Kampung Kasar, Pasir Mas, last month.

The joint operation with Kelantan's Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) ran from 7pm to 10pm on Aug 25. It led to the arrest of a local sundry shop owner, believed to be the syndicate's transporter.

"During the raid at a premises, police arrested a local man in his 20s, the owner of a sundry shop. The raid location was several kilometres from his shop," said Bukit Aman NCID director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan.

Checks nearby uncovered seven sacks filled with 196 packets labelled 'Jin Xian Tea' and 'Number One', containing syabu.

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"The total weight was 204.34kg, valued at more than RM6.5 million. The drugs were believed to be bound for the Klang Valley, with enough supply to destroy 1.02 million lives," Hussein said.

He said the syndicate smuggled drugs from Thailand via illegal routes. Once in Rantau Panjang, supplies were hidden in undergrowth before collection by members.

"This modus operandi was used to prevent authorities from detecting their illegal activities," he said.

Hussein said the suspect had five prior convictions.

"We are also in the process of seizing his sundry shop to determine whether it was used to cover up drug operations.

"We are tracking down the remaining members of the syndicate and investigating its entire network, including overseas links," he added, adding the suspect tested positive for methamphetamine.

Police also seized two vehicles and RM708 from the suspect's bank account.

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

"NCID remains committed to fighting drugs to safeguard both present and future generations," Hussein said.