Major bust: Comm Hussein and other police officials showing the stockpile of drugs and paraphernalia seized from the fortified drug processing lab in the hills of Teluk Bahang, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
BALIK PULAU: A heavily fortified methamphetamine laboratory concealed within a durian orchard in a secluded part of Teluk Bahang was finally exposed following a series of intelligence-led raids by the police.
The operation in the orchard, that was said to produce drugs for the international market, was uncovered over two days, leading to the seizure of 1,188kg of methamphetamine worth RM37.89mil.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the syndicate had picked the secluded hillside with abandoned buildings to conceal large-scale drug production.
He said the site, complete with sweeping panoramic views, was shielded by layers of fencing, reinforced doors and round-the-clock video camera surveillance.
“The premises was converted into a processing plant using imported equipment, with electricity illegally tapped to support the operation,” he said during a press conference at the orchard.
Comm Hussein said coordinated raids were carried out in three locations in Penang over the weekend, with three foreign men arrested in the first raid.
The individuals, aged between 32 and 38, are said to be trained chemists tasked with running the laboratory.
Initial urine tests found them positive for methamphetamine, with two having drug-related records in their home countries.
Investigations showed they had entered Malaysia as tourists in August, with drug processing activities starting in September.
“We arrested them in the first raid at a condominium along Jalan Gurdwara in George Town, with the seizure of 26kg of methamphetamine powder.
“A 27-year-old local man, believed to be the syndicate’s coordinator, died after falling from the fifth floor of a building in the same raid.
“A second raid at an industrial premises along the same road uncovered another 474kg of suspected methamphetamine.
“The final raid led police up the hills to an unnumbered house within a durian orchard near Jalan Teluk Bahang, where the main laboratory was found.
“There, police seized methamphetamine in powder, crystalline and liquid form, along with processing machinery and packaging materials,” he said, adding that the total seizure was enough to supply nearly six million users.
Comm Hussein said the two houses and an open hall at the 13ha orchard were rented for roughly RM80,000 a year through an agent to support the operation.
Fabrics were used to soak up the liquid amphetamine, then the dried fabric were sewn as woven containers before being shipped abroad.
“Once they reached their destination, the fabric would be soaked again to extract the drugs.
“Preliminary investigations found that at least seven parcels, each weighing about 2kg, had already been sent to Australia and Hong Kong via an international courier service,” he said, adding that the mastermind is believed to be overseas and is being tracked.
Comm Hussein said the three foreign men have been remanded for seven days from last Sunday to assist investigations.
Forfeiture proceedings have also been initiated, involving assets valued at RM181,000.
A pickup truck, a sedan, a forklift and an all-terrain vehicle were also seized at the site.
