GEORGE TOWN – The Penang police scored a RM14 million win for their narcotics division when they toppled a drug syndicate that specialises in manufacturing illegal pharmaceutical medication.
Just two days after netting the biggest drug cache of RM25.87 million, a coordinated effort between the state Public Health and Chemistry Departments led to the discovery of RM14 million worth of unregistered medicines at a Bukit Mertajam factory.
At 10am on Christmas eve, a team raided the factory at Machang Indah Industrial Park and confiscated 22 types of herbal tablets worth RM2 million.
A woman and two men at the premises were detained.
At 10.30am the same day, another team raided a shoplot in Taman Kencana, Butterworth, and seized 156,777 bottles of illegal medication worth RM12 million, Penang police chief Datuk Sahabudin Abd Manan told a press conference today.
One man, believed to be the caretaker, was held.
After initial investigations into the two raids, the first suspect was identified as a 50-year-old man with a prior record of crime and drug abuse.
The second suspect is a 48-year-old man while the third is a woman, 44.
The fourth suspect is a 50-year-old man, also with a criminal record.
The four suspects have been released on bail after their statements were recorded.
Among the types of medication seized were paracetamol, dexamethasone and ginseng.
Police are trying to determine if the items had been sold to registered pharmacies, markets or were distributed discreetly.
Sahabudin said all over-the-counter medications carry security seals and urged the public to read the packaging before purchasing any medicinal items. – The Vibes, December 28, 2020
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