BUKIT MERTAJAM – Penang police have crippled a drug syndicate with the arrest of three men who have been operating an illegal laboratory in Taman Pauh Jaya near here on Monday.
Officers seized RM11.8 million worth of drugs and drug-processing equipment, as well as luxury cars, including a Thai-registered Range Rover Evoque, Honda Stream, Toyota Camry and Subaru.
State police chief Datuk Shabudin Abdul Manan said cops arrested one man when the driver of the Range Rover rammed into a vehicle belonging to the raiding party while attempting to escape.
Various drugs, including caffeine used to process Ecstasy pills, were seized, he said, adding that the narcotics were meant for local distribution.
“The suspect led the raiding team to a house in Taman Sutra in Seberang Jaya, where an individual was arrested. In a follow-up operation, the raiding team arrested another individual from Sg Petani about 5.30pm on the same day.
“All three suspects are locals, aged 30, 32 and 37, and have been remanded until March 29 to facilitate investigations,” said Shabudin at the district police headquarters in Bandar Perda today.
He said police seized 170,272g of methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA) worth RM10,216,200, MDMA juice worth RM108,000, Ecstasy pills worth RM1,416,000, 3,500 Eramin pills worth RM52,500, caffeine, alcohol, and three drug-processing machines.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death sentence or life imprisonment. – The Vibes, March 24, 2021
