Malaysia

Penang sees largest drug haul as police seize RM2.73 million worth of drugs in major raids

Investigations show the suspect, who tested negative for drugs and has prior drug-related convictions, was acting as a “middleman” for a syndicate

Updated 5 months ago · Published on 10 Mar 2026 1:25PM

Penang sees largest drug haul as police seize RM2.73 million worth of drugs in major raids
Police inspected a vehicle and found two cloth bags containing 28 plastic packages suspected to be syabu weighing 29,466 grammes - March 10, 2026

by Ian McIntyre

PENANG police have achieved their largest drug seizure of the year, confiscating methamphetamine (syabu) and Erimin 5 pills valued at an estimated RM2.73 million on the black market, following a series of carefully coordinated operations.

A 27-year-old man suspected of drug trafficking was arrested at Kepala Batas during a raid conducted from 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, until 8 p.m. the following day.

“Upon inspecting the bag he was holding, police found a quantity of drugs and keys to a car.

“Police then inspected the vehicle and found two cloth bags containing 28 plastic packages suspected to be syabu weighing 29,466 grammes,” said Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail.

Following interrogation, officers examined another vehicle in the vicinity and discovered four plastic packets containing 4,000 aluminium capsules, each filled with ten Erimin 5 pills, with a total estimated weight of 12,546 grammes.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect, who tested negative for drugs but has prior drug-related convictions, was acting as a “middleman” for a syndicate specialising in the smuggling of narcotics.

“Police also seized a Perodua Axia car worth about RM15,000. The suspect has been remanded until Wednesday to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” added Azizee.

In a separate operation, officers uncovered a cannabis processing laboratory, arresting two men aged 27 and 55, and seizing various types of drugs valued at RM273,333 during raids on Friday and Saturday.

During a 3 p.m. raid on a car park on Friday, police apprehended one of the men and recovered cannabis products, including 525 grammes of cannabis flowers, 4,536 grammes in 67 packets, 376 grammes of compressed cannabis in a glass jar, 1,135 grammes of cannabis flowers in 22 packets, and 44 grammes of cannabis flowers in plastics.

Processed items included 22 packets of cannabis biscuits weighing 307 grammes, 130 grammes of cannabis chocolate, 14 vape pods containing 40 millilitres of cannabis liquid, along with glass jars, bottles, syringes, and chemicals believed to have been used in processing marijuana.

Azizee said a second man, believed to be an accomplice, was arrested at a separate location. Police also seized a Proton Saga car valued at RM33,000 and RM7,500 in cash.

Both men tested positive for drugs and had previous drug- and crime-related convictions.

They have been remanded until Friday, March 13, to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. - March 10, 2026

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