GEORGE TOWN: Penang police have uncovered a heroin processing lab, seizing heroin and heroin base worth RM117,000 in two coordinated raids in Bukit Mertajam on Monday.
In the 5.30pm raid, police detained two local men and another Nepalese man, aged between 17 and 46, believed to be involved in processing and distributing the heroin.
State police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said police raided a terrace house in Taman Sri Rambai, Bukit Mertajam and detained the 35-year-old foreign national.
"Following checks, police seized 19 transparent packets and a basin containing crystal-like substance, believed to be heroin, weighing 8.47kg worth RM81,300.
"We also found a chocolate plastic wrapping filled with heroin base, weighing 377g worth RM32,500, a chocolate box containing two transparent plastic of caffeine worth RM3,200, chemicals and paraphernalia used for processing drugs," he told newsmen at the state police contingent headquarters here today.
Hamzah said the local men were detained in a car about 4km from the house, used as a drug processing lab.
"Initial investigation revealed the Nepalese men act as the cook, to prepare the drugs, which he learnt from the 46-year-old man, believed to be the mastermind of the syndicate.
"The syndicate is believed to have obtained the drug supply from neighbouring Thailand and the drugs processed are for the local market," he said.
Hamzah said further checks showed the syndicate had been active since the end of last year.
The drugs, if found its way to the market, could have been used by 77,000 addicts.
"Two of the men's urine tests came back positive for drugs while one had a previous drug-related record.
"Police also seized four vehicles and jewellery, all of which worth RM106,800," he added.
All the three suspects have been remanded for seven days to assist investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952.