RM8.8m drugs seized in Penang raids

> Two suspects detained in joint operation with China, Thai agencies

GEORGE TOWN: Police scored another big drug bust in Penang with the seizure of drugs estimated at a street value of RM8.8 million and the arrest of two men in Gelugor on Monday.

The suspects led police to the recovery of syabu, ganja and heroin, state police chief Commissioner Datuk Seri A. Thaiveegan said yesterday.

“This joint operation was led by the Bukit Aman contingent with shared intelligence from China and Thailand narcotic agencies,” Thaiveegan said.

The suspects have been remanded until Sept 10 under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

In the seven-hour operation,which started at noon, raids were carried out in Gelugor, Jelutong, Sungai Dua and Balik Pulau which saw two male friends aged 39 and 46 detained.

The drugs are believed to be for local distribution.

A total of 163.8kg of syabu, 18.6kg of ganja and 3.67kg of heroin base were seized in the raids.

Also seized was a total of RM2.6 million comprising vehicles, cash, and money in bank accounts.

On Sept 3, police seized 1.06 tonnes of syabu worth an estimated street value of RM54 million from a warehouse in Jelutong, making it the biggest haul of drugs in the country’s history.

In a separate raid, Thaiveegan said packets of ketamin, syabu and heroin worth about RM865,000 were seized above the rooftop of an apartment in Datuk Keramat at about 2.30pm on Monday.