Drug processing lab busted with arrest of two men

GEORGE TOWN: Police busted a processing laboratory and seized more than RM730,000 worth of drugs with the arrest of two men in Bandar Baru Ayer Itam and Paya Terubong here.

State police chief Comm Datuk A. Thaiveegan said a Penang Narcotics Crime Investigation Department team stormed the premises at about 4pm following a tip-off.

“We first picked up a 42-year-old man, who was carrying two bags containing 31 packets of heroin weighing 14.5kg, Bandar Baru Ayer Itam.

“He then led us to a nearby house, where we recovered another 17 packets of heroin weighing 8.4kg, and six packets of syabu weighing 3.1kg,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Comm Thaiveegan said the suspect then led police to a 52-year-old man in Lintang Paya Terubong 3. He was arrested.

“He then brought us to an apart- ment, also in Bandar Baru Ayer Itam, where a drug processing laboratory was housed,” said Comm Thaiveegan.

“We seized three heroin base slabs, 30 packets of heroin, 86.3kg of caffeine powder and some drug processing equipment.”

Comm Thaiveegan added that the police also confiscated RM37,000 in cash, a motorcycle and a car.

“Several bank accounts with RM42,900 were also frozen. We are investigating how long the syndicate has been operating and if there are any members at large.

“The suspects have been remanded pending investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for trafficking,” he added.