JOHOR BARU, Oct 20 — A joint federal and state police sting ended an illicit drug network in Pontian that specialised in trafficking heroin.

Five men were arrested and more than RM60,000 worth of narcotics were seized, together with two motorcycles worth RM13,500, Johor police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said today.

"During the raids, police apprehended and arrested five men, aged 18 to 36, along with 4.56 kilogrammes of heroin worth RM61,104 that investigators estimate can supply 22,800 addicts,” he said in a statement.

He said the total value of items confiscated is estimated at RM74,604.

He said investigations so far showed that the syndicate has been active in Pontian since September.

He added that police the suspects were just the middlemen, procuring the drugs from suppliers before distributing them to the local market.

All five suspects tested negative for drug use but two have criminal records related to illicit drugs.

Kamarul Zaman said all five men are under a seven-day police remand until October 26 for further investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 that carries a mandatory death sentence penalty.

He said Johor narcotics investigators have arrested 11,745 people for various drug-related offences in the state from January 1 up till yesterday and seized 2.95 tonnes of illicit drugs worth RM12.54 million as well as property worth RM7.51 million.