Kindergarten teacher among those arrested after drug syndicate bust in Penang

Penang Narcotics Crime Investigations Department chief ACP Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah showing the drugs and equipment seized following a series of raids and arrest of six suspects during a press conference at central Seberang Prai district police headquarters in Bukit Mertajam. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Police arrested a 27-year-old kindergarten teacher and six others following raids on a drug trafficking syndicate in Penang.

A total of RM249,018 worth of drugs was seized as well.

Penang Narcotics Crime Investigations Department chief ACP Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah said the woman was among four men and two women aged 27 to 40 years old arrested at three locations between July 22 and 24.

"Two men aged 34 and 40 years old were arrested after police found 4.5kg of heroin worth RM50,261 in their car during an inspection in Juru at about 5pm on July 22.

"Police then raided a car wash centre nearby where a 30-year-old man with 228 grams of syabu worth 8,208 in his bag was arrested.

"The man then led police to an apartment in Simpang Ampat where his wife, a private kindergarten teacher, was arrested after 758 grams of syabu worth RM27,288 was found in the rented unit.

"At about 5.30pm on July 24, further investigations led police to arrest a couple both aged 37 years old in an apartment in Butterworth where 91 grams of heroin worth RM1,011 were seized along with various equipment and chemicals allegedly used to process heroin.

"Four of the suspects with multiple criminal and drug records tested positive for drugs with the 37-year-old male suspect who is a construction contractor assistant having 13 drug records.

"The two women tested negative for drugs and had no past criminal records," said ACP Mustafa during a press conference at the central Seberang Prai district police headquarters in Bandar Perda today (July 26).

He said the syndicate is believed to have operated in Juru, Prai, Seberang Jaya and Butterworth since early this year.

"The drugs were obtained in Penang and Kedah.

"The suspects bought heroin for RM2,700 per pound (453.6 grams) and resold it at RM3,400 per pound to obtain profit of RM700 per pound sold," he said.

All six suspects remanded for seven days until July 29 to facilitate investigations.