Penang cops bust drug lab in factory

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Police uncovered a major drug processing laboratory sited in a former paper factory in Machang Bubuk here on Monday with the arrest of four people, including the mastermind and chemist.

In the 7.30pm raid, police seized RM2.9 million worth of drugs, believed to be syabu, as well as industrial-size drug processing machineries and paraphernalia.

Seberang Prai Tengah district police chief Assistant Commissioner Shafee Abd Samad said the premises were operating as a paper factory until August last year when it was turned into a drug processing laboratory.

He said three of the suspects — including the mastermind, who worked as a mechanic, and the chemist — were detained inside the factory while the fourth suspect was picked up in George Town. All of them are aged between 38 and 49.

“We have reason to believe that it was the 42-year-old chemist who had created the machineries and equipments used to process the drugs.

“This is because they are not sold in the local market,” he told a press conference at the district police headquarters here yesterday.

This is the first syabu processing laboratory busted this year.

Shafee said the syndicate operated round-the-clock and was able to produce 40kg to 50kg of the drugs every 45 days.

“The drugs are believed to be for the local market,” he added.

Elaborating on Monday’s raid, Shafee said police seized 66kg of what was believed to be syabu worth RM2.376 million and 37 litres of what is believed to be syabu liquid, which is able to produce 14.8kg of crystallised syabu worth RM532,000.

Also seized were 35 drums filled with 885 litres of chemicals such as ephedrine, hydrocloric acid, tartaric acid, methylamine and methanol.

Also seized were a Toyota Vellfire, Camry and Vios, worth RM281,725.91, a chain and pendant worth RM1,000, cash amounting to RM1,150 and three savings accounts with cash totalling RM49,575.91.

“The total amount of seizure is RM3.19 million.

“If the drugs had found their way to the market, they can be used by some 400,000 addicts.”

He said that except for the mastermind, the other three tested positive for meth.

The mastermind has two previous records for crime while the chemist has eight previous records, including six for drugrelated offences.

The suspect nabbed in George Town had three previous records for drug-related offences.

All four have been remanded under Section 117 of the Penal Code.

The case is being probed under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952.