IPOH: Divine intervention was nowhere in sight for a drug syndicate when the police raided a drug processing laboratory concealed within a temple in Jelapang here on Monday.
The five syndicate members did not have a prayer when a team from the Perak Narcotics CID nabbed them, uncovered the mini-laboratory and seized methamphetamine worth RM1.14 million in the 6.30pm raid at the house of worship off the Ipoh-Lumut Highway.
Perak police deputy chief Datuk Hasnan Hassan said the police found four kilogrammes of methamphetamine and 11.9kg of liquid methamphetamine meant for distribution in Perak to feed the drug habit of 40,000 addicts.
Also seized were drug processing paraphernalia including electric stove, cylindrical glass container, digital weighing scale, electric cables with switches, as well as plugs and gloves.
“The suspects, aged between 19 and 46, are from Perak and worked as labourers or are unemployed but have previous criminal records for drugs.
"They tested positive for drugs and have been remanded for seven days, beginning Tuesday," Hasnan told a press conference at the state police headquarters today.
He said the police also seized five motorcycles belonging to the syndicate.--BERNAMA