ISKANDAR PUTERI: Police have dismantled a drug processing laboratory and vape cartridge processing centre in Skudai, seizing narcotics and materials worth RM16.4mil.
Acting Johor police chief Deputy Comm Hoo Chuan Huat said four men aged 27 to 60, including two foreigners, were arrested in a series of raids on Monday (May 18).
The first raid was on a shoplot in Taman Melawati at about 5.30pm, with police arresting one local man and two foreign men believed to be involved in processing drugs.
"Further inspection of the premises found that it was being used as an illegal drug processing laboratory, he told a press conference at Iskandar Puteri district police headquarters here on Friday (May 22).
DCP Hoo said among the items seized were 17 drums containing 91.28 litres of liquid methamphetamine worth an estimated RM13.69mil, and a transparent plastic container containing etomidate-type precursor chemicals weighing 6.15kg, valued at RM922,800.
He added that police also confiscated drug processing machines and chemical substances.
DCP Hoo said the second raid was conducted at a shoplot in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, which served as the suspected residence of three suspects and a processing site for vape cartridges containing drugs.
He added that police seized six plastic bottles and 32 cartridges containing liquid methamphetamine estimated at 3.48 litres and worth RM522,000.
"We also seized nine containers containing precursor chemicals of the etomidate type weighing 8.46kg valued at RM1.27mil, along with machines, equipment and chemical substances used in processing vape cartridge fluid," he said.
DCP Hoo added that the third raid was carried out in Taman Mutiara Mas, where another local man was arrested but no illegal items were found on the premises.
He said investigations revealed that the fourth suspect acted as the syndicate’s ringleader and financier, while two of the suspects functioned as chemists who processed chemical substances into drugs.
"The remaining suspect acted as the syndicate’s runner," he added.
DCP Hoo said the total seizures involved 94.76 litres of liquid methamphetamine and 14.61kg of precursor chemicals with an estimated street value of RM16.40mil.
The syndicate had been active since early January, he added.
DCP Hoo said its modus operandi involved using shoplots as processing laboratories and vape cartridge assembly centres before distributing the products to the local market.
Two of the suspects tested positive for drugs, he added.
"Two suspects also have criminal records. All four have been remanded for seven days until May 25 to assist investigations," he added.
DCP Hoo said police also seized assets with a total worth of RM182,187 – seized four cars and RM49,400 and S$9,770 (RM30,280) in cash – under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988.
"The total estimated value of seizures and confiscations comes up to RM16.58mil," he said,adding that the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952.
