A drug-processing ring operating out of a Butterworth condominium was shut down after Penang police arrested a couple and seized narcotics valued at RM9.7 million.
State police chief Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng said the NCID carried out two raids in Seberang Prai Utara last Friday between 2.25pm and 2.40pm.
Officers first picked up a 35-year-old man in the condo’s parking area. A check of his car turned up three packets of MDMA powder weighing 220.69g.
Acting on his information, police moved to a nearby unit where they arrested a 40-year-old woman believed to be his girlfriend and accomplice.
The unit had been converted into a drug lab. Seized items included more than 62kg of MDMA powder in various packets and containers, 3.06kg of ketamine, 1,630 ecstasy pills, 700 Erimin 5 pills and 76 cartridges of liquid methamphetamine.
Investigators also found hundreds of packets in colourful tea sachet-style packaging, likely packed for the local market. Some contained piau piau drugs.
Lim said police intelligence showed the pair had been running the operation since January this year.
“The unit was used to process, package and store drugs before distribution. The suspects sourced raw materials and repackaged them into smaller quantities for sale,” he said.
The total drug haul was valued at RM9,705,959.50, enough to supply roughly 221,649 users. Police also seized RM2,300 cash, bringing the total seizure to RM9,708,259.50.
Both suspects have criminal records. They have been remanded for seven days until 26 June to assist investigations.
The case falls under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for trafficking, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment and at least 12 strokes of the rotan.
Lim credited NCID intelligence work and public cooperation for the operation’s success.
Source: NST
