Penang Cops Cripple Drug Syndicate, Seize Drugs, Assets Worth RM1.2 Mln

GEORGE TOWN, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- Penang police crippled a drug processing and distribution syndicate with the arrest of three men and the seizure of syabu (methamphetamine) and heroin worth nearly RM1.2 million, including confiscated assets, in three raids on Friday and Saturday (Feb 20-21).

Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said the operation, conducted based on intelligence gathered, began at 9 am on Friday and ended at 8 am the following day, involving three raids in Seberang Perai Utara and Barat Daya districts.

“In the first raid in Teluk Air Tawar, Seberang Perai Utara, police arrested a man in front of a house, and upon interrogation, discovered a drug storage and seized five kilogrammes (kg) of heroin and 10.33 kg of syabu kept in several zip-lock bags and transparent plastic packets.

“The second raid, by the roadside in the Barat Daya area, led to the arrest of another man, who subsequently brought the police to another residence where 3,032 grammes (g) of heroin, 18.5 kg of caffeine powder, 2,032g of baking powder, as well as various liquid chemicals and equipment believed to be used for drug processing, were seized,” he said in a statement today.

He said a third raid in the same area led to the arrest of another man believed to be a syndicate member, although no drugs were seized from the suspect.

Azizee said initial investigations found that the syndicate had been active since last December, obtaining drug supplies from its network before processing and repackaging the illicit substances for the local market in Penang.

He said investigations are ongoing, including efforts to track down the syndicate’s network.

All three suspects, who are unemployed, tested negative for drugs, and background checks revealed that one of them has a prior criminal record.

Police also seized various assets belonging to the suspects, including a Honda Accord, a Honda City, a Perodua Myvi, a Yamaha motorcycle, jewellery and cash, totalling an estimated RM245,000.

The three men, aged between 37 and 48, have been remanded for seven days until Feb 27 to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

-- BERNAMA