Penang Police Bust Drug Processing Syndicate, Nab Two Men

GEORGE TOWN, July 18 (Bernama) -- Penang police have busted a syndicate involved in processing methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) following the arrest of two men and the seizure of various drugs worth RM2.2 million during a raid in Gelugor here.

Acting Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said a team from the State Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) raided a luxury condominium unit in an operation that began at 3 pm on Wednesday.

“During the raid, we arrested a 62-year-old man, and checks revealed that the condominium unit was being used as a drug-processing facility for MDMA.

“We also seized MDMA that had been repackaged into 150 instant drink sachets, along with nine plastic bottles containing the same drug, all weighing 13,456 grammes, as well as two ecstasy pills, one Erimin 5 pill, and various drug-processing equipment,” he told a press conference at the Penang police contingent headquarters here today.

He said police later arrested a second suspect, a 40-year-old property agent, in the same area, adding that both men were believed to be involved in processing MDMA for distribution to entertainment outlets in Penang.

Mohd Alwi said investigations revealed that the syndicate obtained drug supplies through their network before reprocessing and packaging them into instant drink sachets, which were then sold at RM300 per packet.

He said the operation also led to the seizure of RM1,220 in cash and two vehicles worth RM71,220.

Mohd Alwi said investigations further found that the syndicate had been renting the condominium unit for RM3,000 a month over the past three months and was believed to have been operating since last March.

He added that both suspects, who tested positive for drugs, had two previous drug-related records, with the elderly man having only been released from prison late last year.

Mohd Alwi said the drugs seized could cater to around 100,000 addicts and that both men had been remanded for seven days until July 23 to facilitate investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

--BERNAMA