ISKANDAR PUTERI: Police have dismantled an illegal drug processing laboratory and vape cartridge processing centre in Skudai, with seizures worth over RM16.5mil.
Acting Johor police chief Deputy Comm Hoo Chuan Huat said four men, including two foreigners, aged between 27 and 60, were arrested in a series of raids on Monday.
He said the first raid was carried out at a shoplot in Taman Melawati at about 5.30pm, where police arrested a local man and two foreigners believed to be involved in drug processing.
Police found that the premises had been used as an illegal laboratory.
DCP Hoo said the police seized 17 drums containing 91 litres of liquid methamphetamine worth RM13.69mil and a plastic container containing precursor chemicals of the etomidate type weighing 6.15kg, valued at RM922,800.
Police also confiscated several drug processing machines and chemical substances at the premises.
In the second raid at a shoplot in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, the raiding party found that the premises had been used to process vape cartridges laced with drugs.
Police seized six plastic bottles and 32 cartridges containing liquid methamphetamine, estimated at 3.48 litres and worth RM522,000.
They also confiscated nine containers of etomidate-type precursor chemicals, weighing 8.46kg and valued at RM1.27mil, along with machines, equipment and chemical substances used to process the vape cartridge liquid.
DCP Hoo added that the third raid was carried out in Taman Mutiara Mas, where another local man was arrested.
No seizures were made at the premises.
Police believe the last suspect was the syndicate’s mastermind and financier.
The two other suspects held earlier were the chemists responsible for making the drugs.
Police also said that two of the suspects had tested positive for methamphetamine while two others had criminal records.
All have been remanded for seven days until May 25.
During the operation, DCP Hoo said police also seized four cars and S$9,770 (RM30,280) in cash.
The total value of all seizures amounted 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.
