Police Raid RM18.19 Million Drug Lab, Arrest Three Including 17-Year-Old

JOHOR BAHRU: Police raided a drug laboratory believed to have been preparing to begin operations, preventing the syndicate from producing and distributing illicit drugs to local and international markets.

Raids at two locations in Taman Megah Ria and Jalan Permas on October 1 led to the arrest of three Malaysians aged between 17 and 22, as well as the seizure of drugs and related materials worth RM18.19 million.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department Director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said investigations revealed that the syndicate had prepared various equipment and precursor chemicals for drug processing, but production had yet to begin.

He said the syndicate was believed to have been active since June, using two separate premises to facilitate its activities.

“A shophouse was used to store precursor chemicals and drug-processing equipment, while a house was designated as the processing location.

“Preliminary investigations found that the syndicate had not marketed any drugs because the laboratory was not yet operational,” he told a press conference at the Johor Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK) on Friday.

He said the first raid at a shophouse in Taman Megah Ria resulted in the arrest of two men and a woman.

During the raid, police seized 101.64 kilogrammes (kg) of MDMA and 14 litres of liquid suspected to contain the same substance.

Police also discovered six plastic packets containing powder suspected to be ecstasy, weighing 122.14 grammes (g), and 30 Eramin 5 pills weighing 7.56g.

A forklift and various equipment and precursor chemicals believed to have been intended for drug processing were also seized.

Hussein said that following the arrests, police raided a house in Jalan Permas and discovered 5.20kg of MDMA and 23 litres of liquid suspected to contain cannabis.

“Various equipment and precursor chemicals believed to have been intended for drug processing were also seized at the second location.

“The total drug seizure is estimated to be worth RM18.19 million and could have affected approximately 426,000 individuals if the drugs had reached the market,” he said.

According to Hussein, preliminary investigations suggested that the syndicate might have links to an international network.

However, he said the syndicate was believed to have been unable to bring in a chemist from overseas to oversee drug production before police uncovered its activities.

“The laboratory was just about to begin operations when police raided it. They did not have the opportunity to process or market the drugs.

“Preliminary urine screening tests found that two of the three suspects tested positive for methamphetamine, while background checks revealed that none had previous criminal records,” he said.

He said one male suspect was believed to have acted as the syndicate’s coordinator, while another was responsible for logistics and renting the premises.

The 17-year-old female suspect was believed to be the girlfriend of the suspect who acted as the syndicate’s coordinator.

Police also seized a Toyota Hilux valued at approximately RM105,900 under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988.

All three suspects were charged under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 on October 12.

Sinar Harian