GEORGE TOWN: Penang police crippled a drug syndicate with three arrests and seized syabu (methamphetamine), heroin, and assets worth nearly RM1.2mil in raids on Friday (Feb 20) and Saturday.
State police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said the operation began at 9am Friday and ended at 8am Saturday, involving three raids in Seberang Perai Utara and Barat Daya.
"In the first raid in Teluk Air Tawar, Seberang Perai Utara, police arrested a man in front of a house, and upon interrogation, discovered a drug storage and seized 5kg of heroin and 10.33kg of syabu kept in several zip-lock bags and transparent plastic packets,” he said in a statement on Monday.
He said the second raid in Barat Daya resulted in the arrest of a man who led police to a residence storing 3.03kg of heroin, 18.5kg of caffeine powder, 2kg of baking powder, as well as various liquid chemicals and equipment believed to be used for drug processing.
He said a third raid in the same area led to the arrest of another man believed to be a syndicate member, although no drugs were seized from the suspect.
Azizee said initial investigations found that the syndicate had been active since December, obtaining drug supplies from its network before processing and repackaging the illicit substances for the local market in Penang.
He said investigations are ongoing, including efforts to track down the syndicate's network.
All three unemployed suspects tested negative for drugs, and background checks revealed that one of them has a criminal record.
Police also seized various assets belonging to the suspects, including two sedans, a hatchback, a motorcycle, jewellery and cash, totalling an estimated RM245,000.
The three men, aged between 37 and 48, have been remanded for seven days until Friday to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. - Bernama
