Johor Bahru Selatan police chief Raub Selamat said the suspects, aged 45 and 50, were arrested with five drums containing 130 litres of codeine syrup worth RM75,150 during a special operation by the Marine Police Force Region Two at 6pm.

He said the duo were aboard a Singapore-registered recreational fishing boat and are believed to have transported the controlled substance procured from local suppliers for sale in neighbouring countries.

“All the drums were hidden in the fish storage area of the boat.

“We are investigating how they obtained the supply of codeine syrup,” Raub said at a press conference today.

He said both men had entered Malaysia legally and that the seized codeine syrup will be sent for analysis.

Police also seized the boat worth RM270,000.

One of the suspects tested positive for nimetazepam.