KUBANG PASU: Kedah police have smashed a mini drug laboratory operating in Bandar Puteri Jaya, Sungai Petani on Thursday.
The raid was carried out following the arrest of two men, aged 53 and 36, in a Perodua Myvi at Jalan Kampung Gelong Rambai in Padang Limau, Tunjang.
State Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Taufik Maidin said the two men were detained by a team from the Kubang Pasu NCID.
"The arrest was made at 7pm based on a public tip off, and a search on the vehicle led to the discovery of a paper bag containing various-sized suspected heroin pills weighing 4,607.21 grammes.
"Following the arrest, our officers conducted a raid at a house in Sungai Petani on the same day at 8.55pm, seizing drugs comprising 22 suspected Yaba pills weighing 2.47 grammes in a plastic packet.
"Also found was a plastic packet containing an estimated 966 grammes of caffeine, as well as 6,711 grammes of suspected heroin and five plastic-wrapped bundles containing compacted marijuana estimated at 5,088 grammes," he said in a press conference at the Kubang Pasu police headquarters today.
Mohd Taufik said investigations showed that the house has been rented since September to function as a mini drug laboratory.
"Various equipment for drug processing, such as an iron hammer, digital weighing scale, four aluminum pans, wooden ladle, two glass containers containing chemical fluids, wooden table, and much more were seized.
"Background checks on the 53-year-old man from Air Hitam, Penang showed that he has nine drug-related records while the 36-year-old man has four drug-related records. Both men tested positive for morphine," he said.
Mohd Taufik explained their modus operandi involved processing drugs in the house-cum-laboratory in Sungai Petani for distribution in the Kubang Pasu district.
"All the seized drugs are estimated to be worth RM71,500, which could be cater the supply for approximately 30,000 addicts," he said.
He added that both suspects have been remanded at the Kubang Pasu police headquarters for further investigation.
"The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," he said.