IPOH: Just over two weeks into the year, and police have already busted one of the biggest drug laboratories in the country, says Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.
The Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department director said two tonnes of ketamine drugs worth RM111.2mil were seized in three raids held in the state.
It is believed to be the second-biggest drug haul in the country to date.
In January last year, Johor police scored a major drug haul of over RM201mil in narcotics.
Comm Ayob said the main raid was carried out at a factory in Pusing, where the place was used as a lab to process the drugs.
The raids were carried out between Jan 13 from 1.30pm and Jan 14 until 5.45am.
“We managed to arrest three suspects, aged between 28 and 40, believed to be involved in the process and trafficking of the drugs for the local market.
“From our initial investigations, it is believed that the syndicate has been active since the middle of last year,” he told a press conference held at the Perak police headquarters here on Sunday (Jan 16).
Comm Ayob added that six vehicles, gold jewellery and cash were also seized during the raids.
He said the drug seized could feed the habit of 6.7 million drug addicts.
He said of the three suspects arrested, two of them tested positive for ketamine and benzo drugs.
Two of them also have previous criminal records involving crime and drugs cases.
“Police are looking for three other people to help in the investigations,” he added.
The three he said are Azrul Safuan Mohd Puaad, 28, with his last known address at Taman Muhibbah Batu Maung in Penang, Mohamad Qaiyyum Mohamad Azhar, 23 and S. Patmanathan, 44.
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