Career in crime began in jail

Suspect in busted drug lab learned to ‘cook’ heroin behind bars

SHAH ALAM: He learnt how to be the main “cooker” for a drug processing lab while in prison – the very institution that was supposed to rehabilitate him.

After a month of surveillance, the police finally busted the drug processing lab that had been operating out of a condominium unit.

The raid on Oct 20 led to the arrest of four suspects, including the main “cooker”.

Sources close to the investigation said the 33-year-old suspect had actually learnt his “trade” while serving a jail sentence.

“He mingled with experienced inmates who taught him how to cook drugs,” said a source.

The suspect had five previous police records and was a member of the notorious Gang 24.

Selangor deputy police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed said three suspects were arrested at the condominium unit in Bandar Bukit Tinggi 2 at about 2pm. The fourth was picked up near Port Klang on the same day.

“Around 6.2kg of suspected heroin was seized, along with 386g of ‘heroin base’.

“The base was enough to produce around 2.8kg of heroin. We also seized a stove and other equipment,” he said at the state police headquarters here yesterday.

The value of the seized drug is estimated to be around RM119,000.

“We have to wait for the lab results to identify the quality of the drugs produced. Based on their capabilities, we believe the group was able to produce 11.1kg of drugs a month.

“With that amount, you would be able to supply drugs to around 22,232 users,” he said.

Sources added that the group, which had been active for around six months, would be able to make around RM4.2mil if they had continued to operate for a year.

DCP Arjunaidi noted that while the operation seemed small, the group had been quite consistent in pushing out their product.

The four-man team was led by a 28-year-old mastermind who did the planning. Two suspects aged 18 and 44 were responsible for maintaining

The group was able to produce 11.1kg of drugs a month. With that amount, you would be able to supply drugs to around 22,232 users.

DCP Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed

the “kitchen lab”, as well as being a runner for the group.

“What is worrying is that all four suspects were involved with gangs. We believe that the profits from the drugs were also used for gang-related activities,” he said.

All suspects have been remanded for a week and investigations are underway.