GEORGE TOWN – Five individuals have been arrested and drugs enough to supply hundreds of thousands of addicts were seized by federal and Penang anti-narcotics officers recently.
The raids were part of police’s stepped-up operations in the northern state against drug syndicates believed to have links with groups in Thailand and Myanmar.
On Monday, a team comprising officers from Bukit Aman and state police nabbed two people and confiscated more than RM1 million worth of drugs and luxury vehicles.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department assistant director Lucas Anak Aket said a 27-year-old man was arrested at the Sg Dua toll plaza near Butterworth.
Police found 352 bundles of marijuana, weighing 345kg, in his Daihatsu Gran Max van.
A 33-year-old man believed to be involved in drug distribution was detained later.
“We seized a Toyota Camry, Volkswagen and Audi belonging to the suspects,” said Lucas, adding that the drugs “are enough to supply 690,800 addicts”.
Both suspects, who have criminal records, tested positive for drugs.
One suspect has been remanded until Monday, and the other, until Thursday. They are being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act, which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.
The next day, officers raided a condominium in Bukit Tengah, where they found a drug-processing laboratory and various types of drugs worth RM587,000.
Penang police’s narcotics chief, Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah, said a 33-year-old man suspected of of involvement in drug manufacturing was arrested.
“After questioning him, police detained two of his friends, aged 24 and 26, in Prai.”
He said the raiding team seized 17.1kg of heroin, 8.67kg of syabu, 15.1kg of caffeine powder, 15 bottles of a liquid chemical and drug-processing equipment.
“Also taken from the condo were a pistol, 43 bullets, a Toyota Vellfire and RM32,895 worth of jewellery.
“The drugs can supply 86,238 addicts.”
The lab had been operating for three months, he said, adding that the drugs were for distribution in the local market.
Mustafa said the three suspects have drug records.
“Two suspects – the ones aged 33 and 24 – have been remanded until September 28.
“The third was detained under Section 3(1) of the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act.”
He said the trio will be investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act and Section 8 of the Firearms Act. – The Vibes, September 26, 2020
Additional reporting by Sofia Nasir
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