BUKIT MERTAJAM: Police have arrested two men and uncovered a heroin-processing lab, seizing drugs worth RM120,600 in two raids here and in Kulim, Kedah.
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Azizee Ismail said that, acting on intelligence, a team from the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) carried out an operation from 4pm on Friday (Nov 21) until 5am Saturday (Nov 22), which resulted in the arrest of two suspects, both aged 40.
"In the first raid at a house in Bukit Mertajam, police detained a man acting as a chemist with the expertise to process heroin. Checks revealed he had converted the premises into a drug-processing lab.
"Police seized 400g of heroin base, 5,385g of heroin, 20kg of caffeine powder, chemical liquids, and various drug-processing equipment," he said in a statement on Sunday (Nov 23).
Further questioning of the suspect led to a follow-up raid in Kulim, where police arrested another man operating as the runner and seized 250g of methamphetamine.
Comm Azizee said investigations indicated that the drug distribution syndicate had been operating since August, primarily targeting the heroin market in the northern states.
Urine tests on both men returned positive for multiple drugs, and the seized substances could meet the needs of up to 40,000 addicts.
"The seized drugs are valued at RM120,600, and police also seized a motorcycle worth RM9,800. Checks revealed both men have multiple previous crime and drug-related offences," he said.
He added that the two unemployed suspects have been remanded until Nov 28 to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. – Bernama
