JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 16 -- Police uncovered a high-capacity illegal drug-processing laboratory and seized various types of drugs worth RM18.2 million through two series of raids in Seri Alam and South Johor Bahru on October 1.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (JSJN) Director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said that the operation, which resulted from intelligence gathered by the Seri Alam District Narcotics Crime Investigation Division, also led to the arrest of two men and a woman aged between 17 and 22.
He said the three suspects were detained at a terrace house in Taman Megah Ria, Masai, which was being used as the illegal laboratory.
"Drugs seized in this raid included 101.64 kilograms (kg) of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 14 liters of liquid drugs, 122.14 grams of ecstasy powder, 7.56 grams of Erimin 5 pills, a forklift, various equipment, and precursors for processing drugs," he said during a press conference at the Johor Contingent Police Headquarters here today.
He added that a follow-up raid at a shophouse on Jalan Permas, which served as a storage warehouse, led to the discovery of 106.84kg of MDMA, 14 liters of liquid MDMA, 23 liters of liquid cannabis, 122.14 grams of ecstasy powder, and 7.56 grams of Erimin 5 pills.
Meanwhile, he noted that the illegal laboratory was capable of processing and producing large quantities of various types of drugs, based on the seized equipment and precursors.
The syndicate, which is believed to have been active since June last year, processed drugs to be distributed to both local and international markets, with the male suspects identified as acting as coordinators and syndicate members.
"Meanwhile, the 17-year-old teenager is the girlfriend of one of the detained suspects, and we are investigating her role in this syndicate," he said.
All suspects were charged in court on Oct 12 last year, and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
-- BERNAMA