Cops bust drug labs in Johor, seize drugs worth RM13mil

 

Johor police chief M Kumar and his team with the various drug-processing chemicals, MDMA powder, and shabu seized from three laboratories in Johor Jaya and Seri Alam last week. (Bernama pic)

ISKANDAR PUTERI: 

Police have uncovered three drug-processing laboratories following the arrest of seven men and the seizure of drugs worth RM12.94 million in an operation here and in Seri Alam.

Johor police chief M Kumar said the operation, involving five raids between March 6 and 11, also led to the discovery of a factory in an industrial area here which was used to store various drug-processing chemicals and equipment.

He said the seven suspects comprised five locals and two Taiwanese nationals, aged between 25 and 40.

“Three of those arrested were involved in drug production. However, they are not certified chemists but self-taught individuals. We are conducting further investigations into their activities,” he told a press conference at the Iskandar Puteri police headquarters today.

“This syndicate is believed to be distributing drugs for the international market and has been active since July last year. They used terrace houses and bungalows in gated and guarded communities in Johor Jaya and Seri Alam as drug processing laboratories.”

According to Kumar, the seized drugs comprise 42.5kg of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) powder and 182.8kg of shabu.

“Also confiscated were various drug-processing equipment and machines, three cars, a lorry and assorted jewellery. Three bank accounts were also frozen, bringing the total estimated value of seizures, including the drugs, to RM14.46 million,” he said.

Kumar added that urine tests found all the suspects negative for drugs but three of them have criminal records.

All the suspects have been remanded until this Thursday, and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952. - FMT