GEORGE TOWN: Police have crippled a drug processing and distribution operation with the seizure of narcotics worth about RM9.7mil and the arrest of two suspects in Penang.
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng said a 35-year-old Chinese man was arrested at the parking area of a condominium in Butterworth at about 2pm on June 19.
He said police then brought the suspect to an apartment in the same building, where a 40-year-old Chinese woman was detained.
"Various drugs and drug-processing paraphernalia were found in the unit.
"The seized drugs included MDMA powder, ketamine, ecstasy pills, Eramin 5 pills and liquid methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of RM9.7mil," he told reporters in his first press conference as Penang police chief on Tuesday (June 23).
The new Penang police chief said preliminary investigations showed the pair had been active since January this year.
"The apartment was rented and used to process, pack and store drugs before distribution.
"They claimed to be unemployed, but investigations showed they were involved in drug trafficking," he said.
Both suspects have been remanded for seven days until June 26 and are being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
In a separate case, Comm Lim said six men had been arrested over an attack at a Chinese temple in Jelutong early on June 21.
He said the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding at an entertainment outlet, where the 31-year-old victim, an Indian Muslim man, was wrongly accused of stealing a mobile phone.
The victim was followed to the temple and attacked by about seven men armed with sharp weapons.
A 64-year-old Chinese temple caretaker who tried to intervene was also assaulted.
"The first victim lost his index finger while the caretaker lost his little finger. Both suffered slash wounds but are in stable condition," he said.
Comm Lim said four of the six suspects had admitted their involvement, while police were tracking down three more suspects.
"We have obtained some information on their identities and hope to arrest them soon.
"We are also looking into possible gang links and will take firm action if there is any involvement in gangsterism," he added.
Meanwhile, police have carried out 12 raids and arrested 12 men under Ops Soga, a nationwide operation against illegal online gambling running from June 16 to July 17.
Comm Lim said the suspects, aged between 27 and 64, were arrested at various locations across Penang.
He said cash amounting to about RM9,000 and several mobile phones used for online betting activities were seized.
The suspects are being investigated under Section 6(3) and Section 6(1) of the Betting Act 1953, as well as Section 4(1)(c) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
Comm Lim urged the public to stay away from illegal online gambling activities.
