Kedah police chief Adzli Abu Shah said the operation initially resulted in the arrest of three men aged between 24 and 26, Bernama reported.

“The arrests, including that of the 26-year-old main suspect, were made at 1.30pm near the Kuala Muda police headquarters. A total of 64.6kg of cannabis flowers packed in five suitcases and stored in a vehicle were seized.

“This led to another raid at 8.30pm at a house in a nearby residential area, where approximately 1.8kg of cannabis flowers were discovered,” he was quoted as saying.

Adzli said the group was believed to have been operating since last month.

“Their modus operandi was to use local residents to travel to a neighbouring country to collect the supply and bring it back here using cars.

“The cars used are handed over to the syndicates on the other side, and within two to three hours, the drugs are loaded into hidden compartments in door panels or in the boot before the cars are returned,” he said.

Adzli said two  women, aged 24 and 25, including the wife of the main suspect, were also arrested to assist in the investigation.

All the suspects are Malaysians.

He said further investigations revealed that the syndicate members entered the country through Bukit Kayu Hitam and exited through Padang Besar, Perlis.

“Two of the suspects tested positive for heroin and cannabis. All the suspects have been remanded for a week from the date of arrest until Aug 11 to assist in the investigations,” he said.