GEORGE TOWN: Police uncovered a drug processing lab and arrested five men involved in the illegal drug trade during three simultaneous raids in Tanjung Bunga and the city centre here on Nov 6.
During the raids, police seized 25.1kg of various drugs, estimated to be worth RM3 million in total.
The men, aged between 32 and 59, are believed to have played various roles in the syndicate, including chemists who cooked and processed the drugs, assistant chemists, coordinators, and associates who helped distribute the drugs around Penang and the Klang Valley.
Federal Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Khaw Kok Chin said, based on intelligence, police conducted a raid at 9.50pm on Nov 6 on a single-storey semi-detached house in Tanjung Bungah.
He said three Malaysian men, aged 32, 53 and 54, were arrested.
"The house is suspected of being used as an illegal drug processing lab.
"The 53- and 54-year-old men were working as the assistant chemists while the 32-year-old acted as the main chemist.
"A search of the house revealed a variety of drugs stored in a room. Among the seized drugs were 13.99kg of Ecstasy pills and powder, 6.03kg of methamphetamine and 4.99kg of ketamine, all valued at RM3 million," he said at the state police headquarters here today (Nov 11).
He said the second raid was on an apartment in Air Itam, where a 59-year-old man was arrested.
"He is believed to be the coordinator of the syndicate, responsible for distributing the processed drugs.
"The third raid was conducted at a shop at Jalan Yeoh Guan Seok, where a 46-year-old man was arrested. He is suspected of being an assistant and associate to the coordinator," he added.
Khaw said the total amount of drugs seized could support 125,085 addicts.
"Preliminary investigations showed that the suspects had known each other for a long time and were involved in organised crime.
"The drugs for this syndicate are believed to have been sourced from neighboring countries.
"The main chemist reportedly earned around RM10,000 a month while the coordinator received payments based on the quantity of drugs sold.
"For example, Ecstasy pills were sold for 50 sen each, with a package containing around 2,000 pills, bringing the coordinator about RM1,000 for each package sold," he said.
All but one of the suspects tested positive for drugs while all of them have criminal records.
Khaw also revealed that the Penang syndicate was linked to another major drug bust in Kuala Lumpur in August, which involved the seizure of Erimin 5 and Ecstasy pills worth RM21.8 million.
"We believe there is a mastermind behind this syndicate, and police are out to track down the remaining members," he said.
The five suspects are under seven-day remand since Nov 7, and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Police also seized various assets linked to the syndicate, estimated to be worth RM89,000, including a Toyota Hilux and a Hyundai Accent and a motorcycle.