Police seized about RM16 million worth of drugs in several operations and busted a drug processing and distribution syndicate, the state’s biggest haul so far this year.
In the first case, the narcotics team seized some RM10.53 million worth of drugs and arrested 10 men and four women, including two Chinese nationals, aged between 20 and 52 years old, who are believed to be involved in a drug processing and distribution syndicate.
Federal police narcotics department director Commissioner Datuk Noor Rashid Ibrahim said today police conducted out raids on May 12, 13, 16 and 17 at several housing areas in Datok Keramat, Jalan Perak, and Air Itam.
“Through the raids, police managed to find six drug labs which processes heroin, syabu and Ecstasy pills and three storage location for the drugs and precursors,” he said.
Among the drugs seized are syabu weighing 16.9kg, heroin base (18.65kg), heroin (54.16kg), ketamine (16.36kg), WY pills (112,080 pills), Ecstasy (12,650 pills), Ecstasy powder (7.82kg), opium (350gm), ganja (5gm) and ephedrine (109 kg).
Police also seized 11 vehicles, jewellery, watches, laptops and cash worth about RM666,132. They also found a pistol and 77 live ammunition.
Noor Rashid said the case is being investigated under section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for drug trafficking, which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.
“There is a trend where syndicates prefer to process drugs in mini labs set up in housing areas or condominiums to avoid detection,” he said.
“We are still investigating to identify other members of the syndicate,” Noor Rahsid said at a press conference at the Penang contingent police headquarters. Also present was Penang police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakob.
On the second case, police managed to arrest two Iranians who were smuggling about 27.8kg of methamphetamine using cereal boxes at the Penang International Airport on Tuesday.
Noor Rashid said the men, who are in their 30s, had hid the drugs, worth about RM5.6 million, in 13 cereal boxes in two luggage bags.
