MALACCA, Malaysia: The state narcotics department has scored a major success, crippling a syndicate involved in the distribution of party drugs in a raid on an apartment in Banda Hilir.

A 44-year-old local male and three Thai women aged between 21 and 24 were arrested and over 3,000 Ecstacy and Eramin pills and ketamin seized. The drugs have a street value of RM83,000 ($34,511),

Police also confiscated a car and RM117,000 cash in the 4pm raid on Tuesday.

State narcotic head department Supt Jaafar Mat said: "The man is a car salesman who also works as a guest relations officer in various karaoke lounges and clubs in Melaka Raya while the women are believed to be prostitutes.

"We believed that we have successfully crippled a syndicate operating and distributing drugs in local entertainment centres located in the Melaka Raya commercial district."

The suspects, he said, have been remanded for further investigations and would be charged with trafficking. -The Star / Asia News Network