KOTA TINGGI: Johor police have confirmed that there are no mini drug processing laboratories (mini-labs) in Felda settlements or other rural areas in the state, dismissing claims that these locations are being used for organised drug operations.
State police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad explained that mini-labs refer to drug processing facilities which operate in an organised and large-scale manner, rather than the small-scale packaging done at home.
According to him, there were cases of addicts packaging drugs into small packets for sale or personal use, Bernama reported.
“Some addicts in the Felda settlements sell (drugs) in small amounts for their own needs. We can’t call that a mini-lab,” said Comm Ab Rahaman.
He was speaking on the topic “Jerat Halusinasi: Antara Penjara dan Jalan Pemulihan” at Felda Bukit Waha here yesterday.
The programme was held in conjunction with the “Felda: Desaku Mendunia – Generasi Sihat, Komuniti Hebat” programme, jointly organised by the National Anti-Drugs Agency and the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation.
Comm Ab Rahaman said that most addicts in rural areas such as Felda settlements were found using conventional drugs like marijuana and heroin, while synthetic drugs such as syabu and methamphetamine were more prevalent in urban areas and entertainment outlets.
“Some of the addicts in Felda settlements do use synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and syabu, but they are still under control and usage is low,” he said.
Acknowledging the existence of mini-labs in urban areas, Comm Ab Rahaman said they were run by organised syndicates using rented houses and apartments to process and distribute drugs on a large scale.
He said the syndicates operate across domestic and international markets, including neighbouring countries, processing drugs on both small and large scales.
Comm Ab Rahaman said the state police had dismantled hundreds of syndicates last year and seized drugs worth RM176.33mil.
The seizures, he said, included 544.31kg of methamphetamine, 147.78kg of heroin, 169.39kg of marijuana and 1,464.72kg of ecstasy powder.
He also warned syndicates and drug pushers in the state to immediately cease their activities, stressing that Johor police would not compromise on the issue.
