Pubdate: Mon, 31 Jan 2005
Source: Star, The (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com.my
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/922
Author: Andrew Sagayam

DRUG LORDS 'INVESTING' IN SHARES

KUALA LUMPUR: Drug kingpins and syndicate members are investing their
ill-gotten gains in blue-chip shares and upmarket properties.

City police narcotics department chief Asst Comm Othman Harun said they had
seized properties and assets worth a staggering RM14mil from several drug
syndicate bosses and members during operations conducted last year.

"Bungalow houses, shares and luxury cars were among the assets seized from
40 drug kingpins and syndicate members.

"The syndicates had also invested their ill-gotten gains in shares in
blue-chip companies, including government-linked ones,'' he added.

ACP Othman said several drug kingpins had purchased homes in upmarket
neighbourhoods and in most cases the properties were bought in cash.

"We compounded a bungalow worth RM2.5mil in Desa Sri Hartamas that belonged
to a drug kingpin. Other syndicate members had also purchased properties in
similar upmarket neighbourhoods.

"We also seized luxury cars, usually BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes and Volvos," he
added, saying the drug kingpins and syndicate members had also bought the
vehicles in cash in most cases.

ACP Othman revealed that drug syndicate members had also ventured into
illegal businesses using the drug money.

"We raided several shoplots purchased by syndicate members, which they were
using for illegal gambling besides drugs dealings," he said.

ACP Othman also said that the city narcotics department seized drugs with a
street value of more than RM15mil last year.

"We recovered 37kg of heroin, 92kg of cannabis, 3kg of syabu, about 19,000
Ecstasy pills, 6kg of Ecstasy in powder form, 56,115 Eramin 5 pills and
about 2 litres of codeine.

"The drugs were seized from the syndicates' hideouts, their illegal business
premises and homes," he said. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Josh