Police seize 1.2 tonnes of drugs and dismantle an international syndicate’s meth lab hidden in a Penang durian farm, arresting three foreign chemists.
BALIK PULAU: Police have dismantled a large-scale methamphetamine processing laboratory hidden in a durian orchard and seized 1.2 tonnes of drugs worth RM38 million.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the international syndicate’s lab was busted following a series of raids in Penang.
Three foreign men, aged between 32 and 38, were arrested at a condominium unit in George Town on Saturday and Sunday.
A 27-year-old local man died after falling from the fifth floor while attempting to flee the condominium during the raid.
Police found 26 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and drug packaging equipment at the condominium.
A subsequent raid on a business premises in Taman Windmill led to the seizure of 474 kg of methamphetamine, believed to be a storage and packaging location.
The final raid targeted a durian orchard about one kilometre from the main road on Jalan Teluk Bahang.
Authorities seized 60 kg of methamphetamine powder, 54 kg of suspected methamphetamine crystals, 574 kg of methamphetamine liquid and various processing equipment there.
Hussein said the total 1.2 tonnes of seized drugs could have supplied an estimated six million addicts.
Investigations revealed the syndicate had been active since August, with the three arrested men acting as chemists specifically brought into the country to process syabu.
The local man acted as a coordinator, managing the lab location and providing accommodation and transport for the chemists.
The syndicate leader is also from an Asian country and is currently abroad.
Hussein said the syndicate rented the 32-acre orchard since September for RM80,000 a year.
“They have made a three-layer fence in the durian orchard and installed closed-circuit television cameras around the area,” he said.
The suspect also made an illegal electrical connection at the orchard site.
The syndicate imported chemicals and equipment from abroad to process drugs in Malaysia for local and foreign markets.
Hussein explained the leader gave instructions from abroad regarding distribution and delivery of drug supplies.
“Malaysia has been made a hub for processing syabu,” he stated.
The syndicate used several methods to produce methamphetamine in liquid, powder and crystal forms.
Police also detected a new tactic of dissolving syabu into sheets of fabric before sending it via international courier to avoid detection.
“We believe that the recipient of the parcel used special materials to obtain the syabu,” Hussein said.
Authorities have so far detected seven such parcels, each weighing two kilogrammes, sent to Australia and Hong Kong.
Police also seized a four-wheel drive, a forklift, a Toyota Vios, and an ATV worth RM181,000 following the arrests.
Three of the suspects tested positive for syabu, and one has a criminal record in his home country.
All three are remanded for seven days until Dec 27.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
